# Analysis of Demographic Determinants in the Selection of Implant-Supported Prostheses: A Retrospective Study of 984 Patients Treated at a Spanish University Clinic

## TL;DR

This study found that patient age strongly influences the type of dental implant prosthesis chosen, with older patients more likely to receive complex restorations.

## Contribution

The study identifies age as the primary demographic factor affecting prosthesis selection in a university dental clinic setting.

## Key findings

- Single implant-supported crowns were the most common treatment (52.4%).
- Older patients were more likely to receive complex prostheses like overdentures.
- Age was the strongest predictor of prosthesis type, with male sex associated with bar-retained overdentures.

## Abstract

Implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation is currently considered a predictable and effective treatment for partial and complete edentulism. Nevertheless, treatment selection is not exclusively determined by clinical variables, and patient-related demographic factors may also influence therapeutic decisions, particularly in university clinical settings. Objective: To analyse the annual evolution and distribution of implant-supported prosthetic treatments performed at a Spanish university dental clinic and to evaluate the association between patient age and sex and the type of prosthesis selected.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted including 984 adult patients rehabilitated with implant-supported prostheses between 2018 and 2022. Prostheses were classified according to Misch's classification into fixed and removable categories. Demographic variables included age and sex. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multinomial logistic regression were performed.

A progressive annual increase in the number of implant-supported rehabilitations was observed throughout the study period. Single implant-supported crowns were the most frequent rehabilitation (52.4%), followed by implant-supported fixed partial dentures (32.5%). Mean age increased progressively with prosthetic complexity, reaching the highest values among patients rehabilitated with overdentures. Multivariate analysis identified age as the strongest predictor of prosthesis type. Male sex was independently associated with bar-retained overdentures.

Patient age is the primary demographic determinant influencing implant-supported prosthesis selection in a university clinical setting. Older patients show a clear trend towards more extensive fixed and removable rehabilitations. These findings provide relevant epidemiological information for treatment planning and resource management in academic dental centres.