Survival rates of dental implants in patients with head and neck pathologies: 12-year single-operator study

Abstract

To evaluate the survival rates of dental implants placed in patients with head and neck pathologies treated with resective surgery with or without free flap reconstruction, radiotherapy alone, and/or chemotherapy. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the survival of intraoral dental implants placed by the same surgeon over a 12-year period from 2007 to 2019. These implants were followed up clinically and radiographically for a period of 36 months postoperatively and throughout the restorative phase. A total of 190 patients with a total of 739 dental implants, comprising both intraoral and zygomatic implants, were included in this study. Overall, the dental implant survival rate was 95%, with a similar rate for dental implants placed in irradiated and nonirradiated bone (90% vs 93%). A lower implant survival rate was noted in implants placed in transplanted bone (79%). In cases of implant failure (n=17), 35% (n=6) of protheses survived and remained functional. Our findings support the placement of dental implants in patients with benign and malignant pathologies of the head and neck to improve their quality of life. However, we highlight the need for careful surgical planning and placement by experienced clinicians.