Analysis of risk factors related to early implant failures in patients attending a private practice setting: a retrospective study

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the risk factors related to early implant failures in patients treated in a private implant clinic. Methods: The study was retrospectively conducted on 392 patients (mean age = 51.2 ± 15.4 years, 48.9% female and 51.1% male) who received 930 dental implants within the period from 2000 to 2020. Included patients had received at least one implant. Patients were excluded in case of incomplete dental records that did not contain the necessary information, including personal information (patient’s name, age, gender, history and current condition of systemic diseases) and treatment protocol record. No patients were excluded on the basis of systemic disease if it did not contraindicate dental implant surgery. Patient-related variables (age, gender, smoking, history of periodontitis, accompanying disease), surgical-related variables (surgical technique, bone augmentation, lateral sinus lift, internal sinus lift, immediate implant placement after tooth extraction, immediate mucosal grafting, insertion torque,) and implant-related variables (implant design, implant level, implant surface, site of implant placement, implants diameter, length and implants brand name) were recorded. Results: GEE analysis results showed that the implant-based failure rate before or at the abutment connection stage was 5.8%. Seven factors were identified associated with early implant failures: male gender, smoking, history of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, maxilla implant placement, non-submerged healing method, implant design and implant brand. Conclusions: In light of the results obtained, both patient-related variables (gender, smoking, history of radiotherapy and chemotherapy) and variables related to the type of implant, its position and the surgical technique used (maxilla implant placement, non-submerged healing method, implant design and implant brands) were found to be statistically correlated with early failures in this study.