Comparison of Implant Survival Rates and Biologic and Mechanical Complications with Implant-Supported Fixed Complete Dental Prostheses Using Four and Six Implants

This study aims to compare the incidence of biologic and mechanical complication rates and the survival rates after at least 5 years of implants and implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses (IFCDPs) placed during second-stage surgery using four and six implants. A total of 77 patients (33 men, 44 women) with a mean age of 60.6 ± 8.8 years (range: 39 to 80 years) were included, and the total of 92 IFCDPs were classified into two groups: 51 received four implants, and 41 received six implants. No implant failed in the four-implant group (0/204), and one implant failed in the six-implant group (1/246), with no statistically significant differences (P > .05). One prosthetic failure occurred in the four-implant group (1/51), and one failure occurred in the six-implant group (1/41). Both groups experienced some technical and biologic complications, with no statistically significant differences between the groups (P > .05). For both groups, veneer or resin fracture was the most frequent mechanical complication, and mucositis was the most frequent biologic complication. The use of four or six implants may represent a predictable treatment option in the rehabilitation of completely edentulous patients with IFCDPs in the medium-term.