Prosthetic design and choice of components for maintenance of optimal peri-implant health: a comprehensive review

Current research has identified features of the prosthetic design with potential to significantly impact the long-term health of peri-implant tissues, while the choice of prosthetic components is also shown to be critical in an effort to reduce long-term complications of implant therapy. Overcontouring of the prosthesis emergence profile has been associated with marginal bone loss, recession and peri-implantitis, while the mucosal emergence angle is shown to have a strong association with peri-implant tissue inflammation. Further elements of interest include convexity/concavity of the restoration, the prosthetic connection and the different geometric configurations of junctions, as well as the peri-implant tissue dimensions. With regards to implant components, the choice between original and third-party-manufactured components might come with implications, as differences in material and microgeometry might impact precision of fit and overall performance, potentially leading to complications. Scrutiny of the specifications and manufacturing is essential when third-party-manufactured components are considered. The aim of this narrative review was to summarise the current evidence with regards to the restorative features of the implant prosthesis and also the selection of prosthetic components which can have implications for the long-term success of the implant therapy. Furthermore, the review aimed at interpretating current scientific evidence into meaningful strategies and recommendations to implement in clinical practice of implant dentistry.