A Retrospective Survival Study of Trabecular Tantalum Implants Immediately Placed in Posterior Extraction Sockets Using a Flapless Technique.

Abstract

A retrospective review of patient records was conducted in a single private practice to evaluate the efficacy of immediately placing a novel implant design in posterior jaw locations using a flapless technique. Forty-two patients (22 males, 20 females) with a mean (SD) age of 60.2 (7.6) years (range = 31-68) presented with 1-2 nonrestorable molar (maxillary = 14; mandibular = 8) or premolar (maxillary = 20; mandibular = 1) teeth compromised by periodontal disease, endodontic failure, root resorption, root fracture, or severe caries. Most patients (78.6%) had moderate (66.7%) or severe (11.9%) periodontitis. Other comorbidities included smoking (14.3%) and controlled diabetes mellitus (11.9%). After atraumatic extraction, teeth were immediately replaced with a total of 44 trabecular tantalum implants (Trabecular Metal Implants, Zimmer Biomet Dental) (diameter = 3.7-4.7 mm; length = 10-13 mm). Sites requiring augmentation were treated with 3 types of small-particle (250-1000 μm), mineralized, solvent-dehydrated, allografts (Puros) based on location: cortical for crestal sinus grafts, cancellous for peri-implant voids in thick tissue biotypes, or cortical-cancellous (70:30) mix for peri-implant voids in thin tissue biotypes. Cortical particulate was used when slower resorption would help maintain graft volume for esthetics or implant support. Grafts were covered with resorbable bovine pericardium membranes (CopiOs, Zimmer Biomet). Cumulative implant survival and success rates were 97.7%, respectively, with a mean (±SD) follow-up time of 25.0 ± 12.1 months (range = 4-48). One asymptomatic implant failed to osseointegrate. Within the limitations of this study, implants achieved outcomes comparable to conventionally placed and restored single-tooth implants in anterior jaw locations.