Clinical Performance of a Method for the Fabrication of Implant‐Supported Precisely Fitting Titanium Frameworks: A Retrospective 5‐ to 8‐Year Clinical Follow‐Up Study

Abstract

The CrescoTi Precision (CTiP) method (CrescoTi Systems, Lausanne, Switzerland) has been introduced as an alternative method for the fabrication of precisely fitting titanium frameworks. The method is supposed to be used with all major implant systems, without the need for abutments. The objectives of this clinical and radiographic retrospective follow-up study were to report the clinical performances of "CTiP-fabricated" frameworks that are screw retained directly to Brånemark implants as opposed to Brånemark implant/abutment assemblies (Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) and to compare the clinical outcomes of these two modalities. Thirty-six patients were provided with 46 fixed prostheses supported by 207 Brånemark regular-platform implants. Twenty-seven prostheses were placed on implant/abutment assemblies, and 19 were placed directly at "implant level." The prostheses had been in function for 5 to 8 years at the time of the final examinations. Three patients did not attend the final examination. All 43 prostheses in the 33 examined patients were still in function. No major mechanical framework complications were observed during the observation period. One implant was lost after loading. There was no difference in bone loss around the abutment-free implants when compared with the implants provided with abutments. This long-term clinical test demonstrated that the CTiP technology constitutes a reliable prosthetic treatment concept in combination with Brånemark implants. The results also revealed that the frameworks could be connected directly to the implants without any negative consequences.