Technical complications with implant-supported dental prostheses.

Studies are needed to determine the prognosis of different forms of dental prosthetic rehabilitation and the main complications involved. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate technical complications involving implant-supported prostheses. A retrospective one time snap-shot study was carried out with a total of 509 implants in 153 patients. Prosthetic conditions were determined by clinical and radiographic examination. The least frequent technical complication involved fracture (0.2%), loss (0.4%) and loosening (3.3%) of the screw. The most frequent complications were loss of resin covering the screw (23.8%), loss of overdenture retention (18.6%) and fractures of the resin (12.4%). A high frequency of misfit between the prosthesis and abutment (25.4%) was found, which was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with other variables, especially cemented prostheses (P < 0.001). To minimize the frequency of complications, protocols must be established from diagnosis to the completion of treatment and follow up of implant-supported prostheses, especially in terms of adequate technical steps and careful radiographic evaluation of the components.