Long-term success of dental implant-supported dentures in postirradiated patients treated for neoplasms of the maxillofacial skeleton: a retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives

The reconstruction of oral function in irradiated patients with craniofacial tumors is a significant challenge. The aim of this study was to detect long-term success of dental implant-supported dentures in postirradiated patients treated for neoplasms of the maxillofacial skeleton.

Materials and methods

From 2004 to 2011, 36 irradiated patients underwent oral function reconstruction using implant-supported prostheses. Bone augmentation was completed using vascularized bone grafts in 22 patients. Fourteen patients were treated by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). A total of 198 dental implants were used in jaw rehabilitation. After loading, implant success rates, biological and prosthetic complications, patient satisfaction, and psychological changes were recorded.

Results

Bone augmentation of the jaw was successful and vascularized grafts provided an additional vascular supply in compromised irradiated tissue. Rehabilitation was successful in all of the patients after loading. Thirty-eight dental implants failed, and 35 implants were removed. The success rate of the implants was 93.6 % for 10 years after loading. It was not a significant difference in implant success rate between the HBO group and the other groups. The prosthodontic maintenance results and complication rates showed that patients required intervention 0.19 times per year. All patients were satisfied with the oral restoration results.

Conclusion

The restoration of oral function in radiotherapy patients with tumor resection using implant-supported prostheses is a viable treatment option.

Clinical relevance

Either alone or in combination with HBO, dental implant-supported prostheses can be used an effective therapeutic approach for irradiated patients with oral function reconstruction.

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