Frequency of Prosthetic Complications Related to Implant-Borne Prosthesis in a Sleep Disorder Unit

Abstract

Sleep bruxism and higher clench index have been associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, there is no study that reports on the prosthetic complications in patients with OSA. Records of patients who had performed a sleep study to diagnose OSA were examined for the occurrence of prosthetic complications in implant-borne reconstructions. The primary outcome was the frequency of prosthetic complications. The secondary outcomes were anthropometric data, type of complication, type of prosthesis, type of retention, number of supporting implants, number of prosthetic units, and the presence of obstructive sleep apnea. Of the 172 patients, 67 had an implant-supported prosthesis, and all were included in the study. The mean age was 61 ± 10 years, and 36 were female. Thirty complications in 22 prostheses were identified in 16 patients. The complications were porcelain fracture (14 events), screw/implant fracture (8 events), screw loosening (3 events), and decementation (5 events). The follow-up time was 117 ± 90 months after placement of the prosthesis. The average time for complications to occur was 73 ± 65 months after the placement of the prosthesis. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), 49 patients had OSA. Thirteen of the 16 patients having a prosthetic complication also had OSA. The highest AHI and thus the severity of OSA was identified in patients with a fracture complication related to an implant, a screw, or a porcelain. The frequency of prosthetic complications has been higher in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Keywords: apnea-hypopnea index; dental implants; fixed dental prostheses; obstructive sleep apnea; technical complications.