Prevention of peri‐implant disease in edentulous patients with fixed implant rehabilitations

Abstract

Objectives To provide an overview about the current approaches to prevent peri‐implant diseases in edentulous patients with complete‐arch implant‐supported prostheses, and to review the clinical applications of the latest digital technologies for implant prosthodontics. Methods A review of the guidelines to prevent peri‐implant diseases in patient's receiving complete‐arch implant‐supported prostheses including facially driven treatment planning procedures using either conventional or digital methods, computer‐aided implant planning procedures, and prosthodontic design variables including the optimal number and distribution of dental implants, implant to abutment connection type, implant or abutment level design, screw‐ or cement‐retained alternatives, prostheses contours, and material selection is provided. Furthermore, an outline of the current therapeutic management approaches to address peri‐implant diseases is reviewed. Conclusions Clinicians should understand and know different planning and design‐related variables that can affect biological and mechanical complication rates of complete‐arch implant‐supported prostheses. Maintenance protocols are fundamental for minimizing biological and mechanical complications.