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Dental implants demonstrate high long-term survival and are often chosen over extensive conservative treatment for compromised teeth. However, while implants themselves are not susceptible to dental caries, their presence may influence the health of adjacent natural teeth. Altered plaque accumulation patterns, interproximal cleaning difficulty, and changes in local oral ecology around implants may increase the risk of caries development on neighboring teeth.
Emerging evidence suggests a notable incidence of caries adjacent to implant restorations. Studies have reported secondary caries as a common complication near posterior restorations, and recent data indicate increased complications, predominantly caries, affecting teeth next to implants. Despite this, the caries risk to adjacent natural teeth remains insufficiently investigated, particularly over longer follow-up periods and in relation to patient-level and implant-level factors. Given the increasing use of dental implants, understanding their potential impact on surrounding dentition is essential for long-term treatment planning and preventive care.
This study aims to: