Tooth-Implant connection: A bibliographic review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to carry out a bibliographic review of all available literature addressing the issue of whether or not the connection of teeth to implants by means of a prosthesis is a viable treatment alternative. Twenty articles from a variety of sources were analyzed and classified in order to draw conclusions. Articles were classified by type and an analysis was made of the different variables considered in each study, obtaining percentages of implant survival ranging from 84.4% to 100%, prosthetic complications ranging from 80% to 90%, and the incidence of dental intrusion ranging from 0 to 5.6%. Biomechanical studies: Some articles studied models in order to assess different connections subjected to force, in which varying results were obtained. Rigid connections appeared to produce the most stress to the natural tooth, periodontal ligament and peri-implant bone; non-rigid connections reduced the stress to the bone, but increased stress to the prosthesis. The results obtained were disparate. Studies in the medium or short-term show this as a viable treatment alternative, whereas some studies point to a greater risk of complications, although the use of rigid connection decreases the percentage of intrusion. Other bibliographic reviews have concluded that there is a need for more longitudinal studies on the viability of tooth-implant connection, also concluding that complications are greater when this is the chosen treatment. As a viable alternative with an acceptable success rate, this course of treatment is always associated with rigid connection rather than non-rigid connection. Although intrusion is avoided with rigid connection, this nevertheless remains inadvisable as the primary treatment choice.