Long‐term survival analysis of standard‐length and short implants with multifunctional abutments

Abstract

Background: Spherical shape and connecting bypass screw of the OT Equator abutment (Rhein83, Italy) provides several retentive possibilities, even in non‐parallel implants.

Objective: This study assessed the long‐term survival of standard‐length and short implants receiving this multifunctional abutment.

Methods: Partially, edentulous patients (44 males and 64 females) (mean age 58.2 ± 10.5 years) rehabilitated with a fixed implant‐supported prosthesis where the OT Equator abutments (Rhein83) were applied. Follow‐up evaluations were performed up to 5 years following prosthesis delivery. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to determine whether the distribution of time to failure differed based on implant characteristics (length and region), adjusting for sex (α = 0.05).

Results: In total, 216 implants (5 × 8 mm, n = 126; 5 × 6 mm, n = 90) (Betwice, Mech & Human, Italy) were installed. The average follow‐up period was 25.3 months (±19.3 months). Eight failures occurred, with most observed before loading (n = 6). Cumulative survival rates (CSR) at implant and abutment levels were 94.3% and 97.1%, respectively. Regarding implant length, CSRs were 97.8% and 90.6% for short and standard‐length implants, respectively, with no difference between subgroups (logrank: χ2 = 1.34, df = 1, P = 0.25). No significant difference was also found between implants of maxilla (CSR = 92.2%) and mandible (CSR = 95.5%; logrank: χ2 = 0.08, df = 1, P = 0.78).

Conclusion: The OT Equator abutment (Rhein83) showed a stable clinical performance, with continuous and predictable survival.