Objective
This study investigated the factors associated with early implant failure.
Material and methods
This retrospective study was conducted on 3,247 implants in 2,061 patients. Patient-related and surgery-related factors, including smoking, sex, diabetes, bone grafting, implant length, implant width, implant design, adjacent teeth, and insertion torque, were manually retrieved and analyzed. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was employed to evaluate factors related to early implant failure.
Results
The mean age of the patients was 49.2 ± 15.0 (18–91) years. Ninety-nine implants failed during the healing period. Three factors were statistically significant regarding early implant failure: smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 7.060, P = 0.008), implant design (OR = 6.983, P = 0.008), and implant length (OR = 7.500, P = 0.006). Factors including diabetes, bone grafting, location, adjacent teeth (root canal therapy in the adjacent teeth and the distance between the implant and adjacent teeth), healing method, and insertion torque did not exhibit a significantly higher early implant failure rate. Ninety-three sites with failed implants received replantation, and six implants failed during the healing period.
Conclusions
This retrospective study identified three factors associated with early implant failure: smoking, implant design, and implant length. A prospective study with larger sample size is needed in the future.
Clinical relevance:
There is fierce debate on the factors influencing early implant failure (failure during the healing period) in the rehabilitation and restoration of oral function in partially edentulous patients.
