Effect of Cantilever Extension on Bone Loss in Mandibular Complete-Arch Implant-Supported Fixed Prostheses with Three and Four Implants.

Purpose: To compare the peri-implant bone loss of mandibular complete-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses (FPSs) supported by three and four implants and to correlate with the size of the horizontal and vertical distal cantilever at prosthesis placement (T1) and after 1 year (T2).
Materials and Methods: A total of 72 external hexagon (EH) type implants were placed in 20 participants. Of these, 24 supported an FPS with three implants (G3I) and 48 with four implants (G4I). The mandibular implants were named 1, 2, 3, and 4 according to their location in the arch, in a clockwise direction. Digital periapical radiographs were taken at times T1 and T2 for analysis and measurement of peri-implant bone loss. The horizontal and vertical distal cantilevers were measured with a digital caliper and correlated with peri-implant bone loss.
Results: The survival rate of implants in G3I was 91.66%, and in G4I it was 97.91%. The mean bone loss in G3I was 0.88 ± 0.89 mm, and in G4I it was 0.58 ± 0.78 mm (P = .225). There was no correlation between distal horizontal cantilevers and bone loss in the studied groups, with G3I being -0.25 (P = .197) and G4I -0.22 (P = .129). Larger vertical cantilevers of implants 1 (P = .018), 3 (P =.015), and 4 (P = .045) correlated with greater bone loss in G4I.
Conclusions: The number of implants in an FPS did not influence peri-implant bone loss after 1 year of follow-up. Larger vertical cantilevers influenced greater bone loss in complete-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses supported by four implants.