A comprehensive review of long-term complications of dental implantation and modern approaches to their prevention

Abstract

Relevance. Dental implantation is an effective method of restoring chewing function and aesthetics in patients with lost teeth, but it is accompanied by the risk of long-term complications. The most common are over-implantitis, bone resorption, mechanical damage and aesthetic defects, which can affect the durability of implants. The main risk factors are insufficient hygiene, implant overload and anatomical features of the patient. Prevention includes careful planning, the right choice of materials and patient follow-up. The study assesses the frequency of complications, their risk factors and the effectiveness of treatment, which allows minimizing risks and increasing the success of treatment.Objective of the research. To analyses the main types of late complications of dental implantation, determine their incidence and risk factors based on a review of current scientific publications and clinical cases, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of modern methods for the prevention and treatment of these complications.Materials and Methods. This review is based on the analysis of scientific sources published between 2018 and 2025, encompassing the most up-to-date advancements in the field of dental implantation. Particular attention is paid to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized clinical trials, and narrative reviews published in leading international peer-reviewed journals (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science). A retrospective analysis of clinical cases was also conducted, allowing for comparison of the clinical effectiveness of various approaches to the prevention and treatment of complications, as well as an assessment of the risks patients face at different stages of implant therapy.The study includes clinical observations over a period of up to 5 years following implantation; an analysis of more than 30 scientific sources, with a focus on publications from the last 7 years (2018–2025); and an examination of interdisciplinary risk factors: microbiological, anatomical, mechanical, biomechanical, and hygienic. The research involved a review of clinical cases evaluating the frequency of peri- implantitis, bone resorption, mechanical and aesthetic complications; and a retrospective analysis of patient data from those who underwent rehabilitation after implantation. The effectiveness of treatment methods was assessed, including antibacterial therapy, surgical correction, bone augmentation, and soft tissue grafting.Results of the study and their discussion. The main long-term complications have been identified as: – Peri-implantitis (10–20%), the main risk factors for which are poor hygiene (50–60%), implant overload (20–30%) and systemic diseases (10–15%). Prevention includes hygiene control, occlusion and regular monitoring. The effectiveness of treatment with antibacterial therapy is 60–70%, surgical treatment with GBR – 80%. – Bone resorption (>2 mm in 5–10% of cases), which is associated with anatomical features (40%), peri-implantitis (30–40%) and overload (20%). Bone augmentation provides 70–85% of treatment success. – Mechanical complications (implant or abutment fracture in 2–5%), which are most often caused by low-quality materials (30%), or overload (50%). Correction involves component replacement and the use of orthopedic solutions. – Aesthetic complications (3–7%) resulting from gingival recession or implant exposure. Their prevention includes soft tissue plastic surgery and proper abutment selection, and treatment includes gingival plastic surgery (effectiveness 75–85%).Conclusions. Long-term complications of implantation occur in 10–15% of patients, but with proper planning, use of high-quality materials and regular monitoring, the risk of their development can be reduced to 5%. Timely diagnosis and effective treatment ensure a high level of success of therapy.