The influence of prosthetic designs on peri‐implant bone loss: An AO/AAP systematic review and meta‐analysis

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The design of implant-supported tooth replicas plays a key role in keeping the surrounding gums and bone healthy. This study reviewed research from 1980 to 2023 to examine how different design features of these restorations impact oral tissue health. A total of 93 studies were included, focusing on patients aged 18 years and older, with at least 10 patients in each group. The findings showed that individual tooth replicas (rather than splinted ones) led to better gum health. A horizontal offset at the implant-replica junction helped reduce bone loss. Implants with internal connections (inside the implant body) performed better than those with external connections. Tooth replicas with narrow contours at the implant junction were more beneficial than convex shapes. Additionally, using abutments taller than 2 mm and minimizing the number of times an abutment is removed during fabrication helped preserve surrounding tissues. These findings highlight how careful implant design can improve long-term oral health, reducing complications and maintaining stability around dental implants.