Clinical efficacy of combined orthodontic and implant-supported prosthodontic treatment for dentition defects with dentofacial deformities

This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes associated with orthodontic treatment combined with implant-supported prosthodontic restoration in patients with dentition defects accompanied by dentofacial deformities. This retrospective study included 104 patients treated between September 2019 and September 2024. Patients were assigned to a control group (n = 53), who received implant-supported prosthodontic restoration alone, or an observation group (n = 51), who underwent orthodontic treatment prior to implant placement. Baseline characteristics, including age, sex, bone density, and periodontal health, were comparable between groups. Clinical outcomes were assessed after 12 months of follow-up, including masticatory function, occlusal relationship, aesthetic satisfaction, peri-implant soft tissue health, implant survival, postoperative complications, and patient-reported satisfaction. At 12 months, the observation group showed significantly higher masticatory function and aesthetic satisfaction scores compared with the control group. A greater proportion of patients in the observation group achieved balanced and stable occlusal relationships. Peri-implant soft tissue conditions were more favorable, with shallower probing depths and a higher proportion of sites maintaining probing depth ≤ 4 mm. Implant survival rates were high in both groups, with a slightly higher rate observed in the observation group. Postoperative complications, including mucositis, swelling, and prosthesis fracture, occurred less frequently in patients who received orthodontic pretreatment. Patient-reported overall satisfaction, assessed using a 5-point Likert scale, was also significantly higher in the observation group. Within the limitations of this retrospective study, the findings suggest that orthodontic treatment performed prior to implant-supported prosthodontic rehabilitation is associated with improved functional outcomes, more favorable peri-implant soft tissue conditions, and higher patient satisfaction in patients with dentition defects and dentofacial deformities. This combined approach may be a beneficial strategy for comprehensive oral rehabilitation in complex clinical cases.