Objectives
To 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 methods
Patients 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.
Results
Ninety‐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.
Conclusions
This 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.