Food Impaction and Periodontal/Peri-Implant Tissue Conditions in Relation to the Embrasure Dimensions Between Implant-Supported Fixed Dental Prostheses and Adjacent Teeth: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Food impaction and periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions were evaluated in relation to the embrasure dimensions between implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) and adjacent teeth. Methods: A total of 215 embrasures of 150 FDPs in 100 patients (55 males and 45 females, aged 27 to 83 years; mean age: 56 years) were included in the study. Clinical assessments of the periodontal/peri-implant mucosal conditions, radiographic assessments of embrasure dimensions, and overall patient satisfaction were used as explanatory variables for the food impaction and periodontal/peri-implant tissue conditions adjacent to implant-supported FDPs in the generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis. Results: Food impaction was reported in 96 (44.7%) of 215 embrasures between implant-supported FDPs and adjacent teeth. Food impaction was reported more frequently in the embrasures with proximal contact loss than in those with tight contact (P = 0.009). Overall patient satisfaction was influenced negatively by food impaction in the proximal embrasures (P = 0.01). Among embrasure dimensions, only the embrasure surface area (ESA) significantly influenced food impaction (P = 0.03). Significant influences of various embrasure dimensions on the periodontal/ peri-implant mucosal conditions and bone level at the implant were found in the univariate and multivariate GEE analyses. Conclusions: Food impaction between implant-supported FDPs and adjacent teeth occurred more frequently when proximal contact was lost and ESA increased. Food impaction negatively affected overall patient satisfaction. Embrasure dimensions influenced the periodontal/peri-implant mucosal conditions and bone level at the implant.