Purpose: This study aimed to assess the use of bone augmentation materials in Finland from 1994 to 2012 by assessing removal rates of implants placed in combination with autologous bone, xenogeneic grafts, and synthetic alloplastic materials.
Materials and methods: The National Institute for Health and Welfare in Finland granted permission to access raw data of the Finnish Dental Implant Register for implant augmentation materials and removal rates of implants placed in augmented sites from April 1994 to April 2012.
Results: A total of 198,538 implants were placed in Finland between 1994 and 2012 in 110,543 operations. A total of 3318 (1.7%) of the placed implants were removed during the observation period. Augmentations were performed on 20,812 (18.8%) operations during 1994-2012. The removal rates of implants placed at sites augmented with autologous bone were 2.31%, xenogeneic materials 0.91%, and synthetic alloplastic materials 2.80%. The removal rate was 1.87% when no augmentation material was used.
Conclusions: The placement of dental implants in conjunction with bone augmentation materials is predictable with a low complication rate.