Stackable Guide and Immediate Full Arch Loading: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 43 Edentulous Arches-The STAGE Study.

Abstract

As the population gets older, the prevalence of complete or partial tooth loss is increasing, significantly impacting people's quality of life. Scientific research demonstrates that implant-fixed complete dentures offer high levels of satisfaction. In certain cases, tooth loss can lead to significant bone atrophy, necessitating pre-implant bone reconstruction. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 43 arches, including or not bone grafts, rehabilitated using a stackable guided approach, which included an immediate loading protocol. The primary outcome measure was the survival rate of the implant at 4 months. The digital workflow helps the design of the provisional prothesis before the implant surgery, which will be loaded immediately after the implant's placement. The stacked guides integrate both surgical and prosthetic considerations into a digital workflow. A total of 284 implants were placed. After a 4-month follow-up period, 10 implants (3.5%) exhibited no osseointegration and were subsequently replaced, resulting in an overall success rate of 96.5%. After 1 year of follow-up, a prosthetic success rate of 100% was observed, with all patients being able to progress to the stages for the permanent fixed dentures. Our findings support the use of this protocol for all patients, whether they require bone grafts or not. However, a long-term follow-up is essential for a comprehensive evaluation of these treatment outcomes.