The impact of cantilevers on biological and technical success outcomes of implant-supported fixed partial dentures. A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the biological and technical success outcomes of implant-supported fixed dental prostheses with and without cantilevers, after a minimum of one year loading.

Material And Methods: One hundred and seven subjects with 128 cantilever FDPs (cFDP) supported by 132 implants were compared with 99 individuals with 144 non-cantilever FPDs (ncFDPs) supported by 203 implants. Outcomes such as marginal bone loss from FDP insertion to final follow-up as well as frequency and extent of biological and technical complications were investigated and correlated with patient, site, implant and FDP design characteristics.