Prospective Evaluation of Bone Remodeling in Full-Arch Rehabilitations with Morse Taper Implants: A Case Series Study with One-Year Follow-Up.

Abstract

This case series study evaluated the survival, success rate and marginal bone remodeling of Morse taper hydrophilic implants placed for full-arch rehabilitations over a 1-year follow-up period. Ten patients in need of maxillary and/or mandibular full-arch rehabilitation were selected. Sixty-six Morse taper implants and sixty-six abutments were inserted. All implants were placed using a surgical flap approach without bone regeneration and were immediately loaded with definitive prostheses according to the passive fitting technique. The patients underwent clinical and radiographic follow-up at different postoperative periods: T0 = immediate (up to 1 month after surgery); T1 = 3-4 months after surgery; T2 = 6-8 months after surgery; and T3 = 1 year after surgery. The survival and success rate of the implants and the marginal bone remodeling were evaluated. Normal distribution of the outcomes was verified by Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. Therefore, changes in vertical and horizontal marginal bone levels were assessed with paired t-tests. Results were considered significant for P < 0.05. Survival and success rates of 100% and 92.4%, respectively, were observed. Statistically significant vertical bone level changes were shown for all periods. From T0 to T3, there was a mean difference in vertical bone loss of -1.02 mm on the mesial surface and of -0.93 mm on the distal surface, for horizontal bone loss in the same period, it was observed mean changes of -0.14 mm on the mesial surface and -0.09 mm on the distal surface. This 1-year case series follow-up of immediate full-arch rehabilitation, using one-step hybrid passive fitting supported by four to six hydrophilic tapered implants, suggests predictability with high survival and success rates in edentulous patients.