Complications

A variety of implant-based complications were documented. Complications were often described within the study rather than being formal assessed, defined or used as outcome measures. Due to there being a lack of formal definition and variability in the documentation within the studies, the data cannot be considered robust to be collectively appraised but is described for information purposes. Common “complications” reported in the studies include soft tissue overgrowth/hyperplasia of the peri-implant tissues (Wang et al., Chiapasco et al., Teoh et al., Wu et al., Shaw et al.), peri-implantitis and periodontal pocketing (Barrowman et al., Schultes et al., Linsen et al., Burgess et al., Hessling et al.), the need for soft tissue debulking/modification around free flaps (Ch’ng et al., Shaw et al.) and the need for mucosal/soft tissue graft around implants to improve the soft tissue profile (Chiapasco et al., Teoh et al., Chiapasco et al.). These peri-implant complications were most commonly seen when the soft tissue profile around the implant was related to a soft tissue graft and therefore did not have attached keratinised mucosa which is needed to provide a soft tissue profile that is conducive to peri-implant health. Other complications include poor oral hygiene (Wang et al., Zou), challenging prosthodontic rehabilitation/inability to tolerate the prosthesis provided (Barrowman et al., Zou et al., Fierz et al.), poor implant position (Schultes et al., Fenlon et al., Watzinger et al., Wu et al. ) and osteoradionecrosis (Ch’ng et al.) (Table 2).