Bruxism and dental implant treatment complications: a retrospective comparative study of 98 bruxer patients and a matched group

ObjectivesTo analyze the complications of dental implant treatment in a group of patients with bruxism in comparison with a matched group of non-bruxers. Material and methodsPatients being diagnosed as bruxers were identified within a group of patients consecutively treated with implant-supported prostheses at one specialist clinic, based on the most recent listed sign and symptoms of bruxism according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. A diagnostic grading system of possible, probable, and definite sleep or awake bruxism was used, according to a recent published international consensus. A case-control matching model was used to match the bruxers with a group of non-bruxers, based on five variables. Implant-, prosthetic-, and patient-related data were collected, as well as 14 mechanical complications, and compared between groups. ResultsNinety-eight of 2670 patients were identified as bruxers. The odds ratio of implant failure in bruxers in relation to non-bruxers was 2.71 (95% CI 1.25, 5.88). Considering the same number of patients with the same total number of implants equally distributed between groups, the bruxers group had a higher prevalence of mechanical complications in comparison with the non-bruxers group. ConclusionsThis study suggests that bruxism may significantly increase both the implant failure rate and the rate of mechanical and technical complications of implant-supported restorations. Other risk factors may also have influenced the results.