An up to 7-year retrospective analysis of biologic and technical complication with the all-on-4 concept

The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively biologic and technical complications as well as clinical and radiographic outcomes ofpatients treated with 4 implants according to the All-on-4 protocol and followed up to 7 years of function. Data from 56 consecutivepatients presenting complete edentulous jaw, aged 18 years or older, treated between January 2008 and December 2013, were evaluated.The outcomes were implant and prosthetic survival and success rates, any complications, and marginal bone loss (MBL). Two-hundredtwenty-four implants were placed in 56 patients. During the entire follow-up, 1 maxillary implant but no prosthesis failed during thehealing process. Fourteen patients experienced 1 complication each (10 technical, 4 biologic). The overall implant and prosthetic successrate was 98.2% and 82.1%, respectively. All complications were considered as minor and successfully resolved chairside. A mean MBL of1.30 6 0.63 mm was observed at the last follow-up. Statistically significant difference was found for postextractive implants (0.79 6 0.26)vs implants placed in healed sites (1.03 6 0.46; P ¼ 0.024). Within the limits of the present study, the All-on-4 concept may be a valuablesurgical and prosthetic option for the treatment of complete edentulous jaws. However, minor technical and biologic complications canoccur. Further long-term prospective data with primary outcomes focused on success rates are needed.