Performance of different cantilever designs of implant-supported metal fixed dental prostheses

Objective The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effect of cantilever design on implant-supported metallic fixed dental prostheses after 3 years of function. Patients and methods Twenty patients were randomly allocated to two groups: the 3 mm (TM) group (n=10), in which patients had one cantilever implant-supported fixed partial denture (CISFPD) with 3 mm distal extension measured from the most distal end of the fixture to the most distal end of the fixed partial denture; and the 5 mm (FM) group (n=10), in which patients had one CISFPD with 5 mm distal extension measured the same way as in the first group. All CISFPDs were supported by one implant (4.5 mm diameter, 10 mm length). The studied outcomes were survival, frequency of complication occurrence, bone loss, and pocket probing depth. All data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Descriptive data were summarized as mean and SD, and differences were considered significant when P value up to 0.05. Results The total percentage of success with the CISFPD was 100% in the two groups. In this 3-year study, six noticed effects needing consequent treatment were found. In five patients (four in the FM group and two in the TM group). The amount of bone loss and pocket probing depth of implant abutments were the same in the two groups (P>0.05) and were within permissible limits. Conclusion After 3 years of assessment, the TM-CISFPD and FM-CISFPD showed accepted results. Studies on a larger number of patients will be needed to confirm the results of performance of implant-supported cantilever Fixed Dental Prosthesis.