A Retrospective Analysis of the Effectiveness of the Longevity Protocol for Assessing the Risk of Implant Failure

Background A new, computerized diagnostic tool, called the Longevity Protocol, was recently developed to predict implant failure. The present retrospective analysis was undertaken to assess the prognostic validity of this protocol. Materials and Methods A selected group of patients who had been treated with implants over the past 10 years at six dental clinics and experienced implant failure were included in the analysis. Another group of patients with similar characteristics, not experiencing implant failure, was used as control. In April of 2015, data about each of the patients was entered into the Longevity Protocol database. For each patient, the risk assessment produced by the protocol was compared to whether the implants eventually failed. The implant failure predictions and actual implant failures were compared. Results The Longevity Protocol analyzed the possible failure of 595 implants placed in 221 patients (323 implants placed in 138 patients classified as low risk, 180 implants placed in 55 patients classified as moderate risk, and 92 implants placed in 28 patients classified as high risk). The actual percentage of implant failure in the three groups was 10%, 15%, and 22%, respectively. The differences between the groups were statistically significant. The sensitivity and specificity of the Longevity Protocol was 84.9% and 11.90% in the high/moderate risk group and 47.17% and 32.74% in the low risk group, respectively. Conclusions Statistically significant results were obtained. The Longevity Protocol reliably identified patients who risked implant failure. The protocol appears to be an important tool for prognosis assessment.