The Risk Factors in Early Failure of Dental Implants: a Retrospective Study

Statement of the Problem Despite the low failure rate of dental implants, recognition of the risk factors can enhance the predictability of failure. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for early implant failure. Materials and Method This retrospective cohort study was conducted on two groups of patients, the patients with a failed implant before loading and those without a failed implant. Age, gender, implant type, implant surface, implant length, bone type, type of surgery (one- or two-stage) and immediate (fresh socket) or delayed placement of implant were the variables to be assessed in this study. Results Out of the 1,093 evaluated implants, 73 cases (6.68%) failed in early stages. The two groups were significantly different in terms of implant surface, fresh socket placement, prophylactic use of antibiotics, and bone density (p< 0.05). Age, gender, implant height, implant type (cylindrical or tapered) and one-stage or two-stage placement were not significantly different between the two groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion It seems that prophylactic antibiotic therapy, implant surface, bone density and placement in fresh extraction socket may contribute to dental implant failure.