There are only limited long-term data about implants in periodontally compromised patients. This study presents the 20-year clinical results of implants placed in partially edentulous patients previously treated for periodontitis compared with periodontally healthy patients (PHP).
Material and Methods
The original population consisted of 149 partially edentulous patients consecutively enrolled in private specialist practice and divided into three groups: PHP, moderately periodontally compromised patients (mPCP) and severely PCP (sPCP). After completing periodontal/implant therapy successfully, patients were enrolled in an individualized supportive periodontal care (SPC) program.
Results
Eighty-four patients rehabilitated with 172 implants reached the 20-year examination. During the observation time, 12 implants were removed (11 due to peri-implantitis, one due to implant fracture), leading to an overall implant survival rate of 93% (i.e., 94.9% for PHP, 91.8% for mPCP and 93.1% for sPCP [p = .29]). At 20 years, PCP compliant with SPC did not present with significantly higher odds of implant loss compared with PHP compliant with SPC (p > .05). Conversely, PCP not compliant with SPC experienced implant loss with an odds ratio of 14.59 (1.30–164.29, p = .03).
Conclusions
Tissue-level implants, placed after comprehensive periodontal therapy and SPC, yield favourable long-term results. However, patients with a history of periodontitis and non-compliant with SPC are at higher risk of complications and implant loss.
