Years Of Prosthetic Loading Research Articles

A randomized clinical trial on zirconia versus titanium implants in maxillary single tooth replacement.

This RCT aimed to compare zirconia and titanium dental implants in the maxillary premolar region. The comparison was based on marginal bone level (MBL) changes, clinical parameters, aesthetic outcomes, and patient related outcome measures (PROMs) 1 year after prosthetic loading. Fifty patients were randomly assigned to receive either a zirconia (ZrO2, n = 25) implant or a titanium (Ti, n = 25) bone-level implant. Implants were provided with a lithium disilicate crown 3 months after placement. Follow-up was at 1 month and after 1 year. The primary outcome pertained to changes in MBL. Reported secondary outcomes consisted of implant survival, peri-implant tissue health, aesthetics, and PROMs. Mean MBL change after 1 year was 0.01 mm (SD = 0.45; min = 0.72, max = 0.86) for ZrO2 and -0.09 mm (SD = 0.34; min = 0.53, max = -1.06) for Ti (p = .439). Scores for the other clinical outcome parameters and PROMs were generally favorable, with no significant differences. However, significant differences were found for the aesthetic outcomes regarding two criteria: (a) level of facial mucosa (p = .022), in favor of Ti, and (b) root convexity/soft tissue color and texture (p = .005) in favor of ZrO2. The ZrO2 and Ti implant types used in this study, replacing a single missing maxillary premolar, show a comparable outcome in terms of MBL change after 1 year. Clinical and aesthetic parameters, as well as PROMs, are favorable and similar between both implant types after 1 year of prosthetic loading. These short-term study results suggest that both are suitable for clinical use.

Implant Survival Rate in Mandible Reconstructed with Free Fibula Flaps After Oral Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To assess the implant survival rate in mandibles reconstructed with free fibula flap after oral tumor resection after 1 year of prosthetic loading. A secondary objective was to compare immediate or delayed implant placement protocols in this population. Electronic and manual searches were performed on different databases for controlled and prospective trials that indicated implant survival rate. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane Collaboration tools. Meta-analyses heterogeneity source assessment and GRADE evaluation were performed among studies with identical follow-ups. Among 305 primarily selected articles, 109 were eligible after reading the title and abstract, and 8 were included after full-text reading: 2 randomized controlled trials and 6 prospective studies comprising 140 patients and 507 implants. Meta-analyses estimated an overall survival rate of 97% (95% CI: 94% to 99%) after 1 year of prosthetic loading. The survival rate was 98% (95% CI: 94% to 100%) with immediate implantation and 97% (95% CI: 90% to 99%) with delayed implantation. Only 3 studies reported radiotherapy treatment, with no real impact on implant survival rate. Overall, 69% of tumors were benign. Implant placement in vascularized fibula flaps in the mandible is recommended for patients undergoing segmental mandibular reconstruction after tumor resection. Within the limitations of this study, no significant difference in survival rates was found between immediate and delayed implant placement.

Evaluation of the survival rate of short implants placed in the posterior atrophic mandible: 5-year clinical study.

The aim of the study was to assess the long-term prognosis of short implants (5 to 6 mm) placed in the posterior region of the atrophic mandible. The study included 81 patients with severe vertical atrophy of the bone in the posterior region. The patients had 248 short implants (5 to 6 mm) implants placed in the mandibular posterior region and 256 implants with length greater than 10 mm in the mandibular anterior region. Analysis of implant and prosthesis failures, cumulative survival rate, and marginal bone loss was determined at 1 year and 5 years of follow-up (58 ± 7 months). Mean marginal bone loss after 1 year of prosthetic loading was 0.74 mm for short implants and 0.72 mm for implants with length greater than 10 mm; after 5 years of prosthetic loading this was 1.27 mm for short implants and 1.31 mm for implants with length greater than 10 mm. Of 248 short implants (5 to 6 mm), six failed: four due to peri-implantitis and two due to lack of osseointegration (early rejection). Of 256 implants with length greater than 10 mm, five failed: three due to peri-implantitis and two due to lack of osseointegration (early rejection). On average, over the observation period (58 ± 7 months), the 5-year cumulative implant survival rate was 97.8% in short implants, and 98.1% in longer implants; the prosthesis cumulative survival rate was 98.2%. Based on the results, it was concluded that the prognosis of the use of short implants for prosthetics in the posterior resorbed mandible can be considered favorable and reasonable.

Immediate Implant Placement in Infected Sockets: Curettage Protocol Plus Disinfection with Hydrogen Peroxide and Rifamycin. Retrospective Analysis at 6 years of Follow-up

Context: Immediate implant placement in a fresh socket after extraction is an increasingly popular and established treatment option. However, active infection at the extraction site can adversely affect the outcome of this procedure. Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical results of immediate dental implant placement in infected extraction sockets. Settings and Design: using a standardized protocol, which included the use of 3% hydrogen peroxide plus rifamycin 500 mg as irrigation for decontamination of the infected socket before implant insertion with submerged healing. Patients and methods: The sample consisted of 227 implants placed in 158 patients, the data were obtained through a retrospective review of the clinical registry selected of patients who received implants according to the protocol described. Statistical analysis used: A generalized binary response regression model was used. For all tests, the statistical significance value was set at p <0.05. Results: Of the 227 implants placed immediately in the infected sites using the described protocol with an average follow-up of 6 years of prosthetic loading, only 11 failed, resulting in a cumulative implant survival rate of 95.2%. Only the medical history / harmful habits factor (HM / HH) was significant (p = 0.002), in this group the success rate was 85.7%. However, in the group of healthy patients without harmful habits, the success rate rises to 98.8%. Conclusion: Immediate implant placement in infected sites using these protocols in healthy patients shows a survival rate similar to that published for implants placed in non-infected sites.

Comparative Study by Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Peri-Implant Effect of Two Types of Platforms: Platform-Switching versus Conventional Platforms.

Objective: The aim of the systematic review and meta-analysis carried out was to evaluate the effects of changing the prosthetic platform on peri-implant tissue after 1 year of prosthetic loading. Material and methods: In November 2020, an electronic search was carried out in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases with the aim of obtaining all the randomized clinical trials that had been published in the preceding 10 years comparing the effects on the peri-implant tissue of implants with a prosthetic platform change and implants with a conventional platform for at least 1 year after prosthetic loading. Randomized model meta-analyses of the selected studies were performed to compare the results of the two implant groups in terms of vertical maintenance of bone level and increased probing depth. Results: Nine studies were included, summing up a total of 475 implants with prosthetic platform exchange and 462 implants with a conventional platform. Implants with prosthetic platform exchange had less peri-implant bone loss than implants with a conventional platform (mean difference of 0.255 mm, statistically significant) but suffered a greater increase in probing depth (mean difference of 0.082 mm, not statistically significant). However, the probing depth from One Study Remove revealed a statistically significant increase of 0.190 mm in the prosthetic platform exchange group compared to the conventional platform group. Conclusion: Implants with platform switching suffer less peri-implant bone loss after 1 year of loading than implants with a conventional platform. Further long-term studies are required to observe how these differences vary over time.

Analysis of Peri-Implant Bone Loss with a Convergent Transmucosal Morphology: Retrospective Clinical Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the peri-implant bone loss of infracrestal, supracrestal, and crestal implants from the day of placement and up to 1 year of prosthetic loading. Material and methods: A retrospective clinical study was carried out. The sample consisted of 30 implants placed on 30 patients. It was divided into three groups: infracrestal (n = 10), crestal (n = 10), and supracrestal (n = 10) implants. Results: Following the statistical analysis, it was observed that, 4 months after implant placement, the mean values of total peri-implant bone loss were 0.04 mm in infracrestal implants, 0.26 mm in crestal implants, and 0.19 mm in supracrestal implants. At the end of one year of prosthetic loading, the peri-implant bone loss was 0.12 mm in infracrestal implants, 1.04 mm in crestal implants, and 0.27 mm in supracrestal implants. It was determined that peri-implant bone loss in crestal implants was significantly higher than in supracrestal implants, and these in turn were significantly higher than in infracrestal implants. Conclusions: The implants that obtained a better biological behavior on peri-implant bone tissue were the infracrestal implants with a converging transmucosal abutment.

Osteotome-Induced Blood Clot and Subsequent Bone Formation with the Use of Collagen Sponge for Integration of Single Dental Implants into the Atrophied Posterior Maxilla: A Retrospective Follow-Up of 36 Implants after 5 to 13 years.

Background Atrophy of the posterior maxilla as a consequence of tooth loss and sinus pneumatization is a frequent condition encountered in the clinical practice. Prosthetic rehabilitation with implants in these patients often requires some kind of bone regeneration procedure to increase the bone volume. Aim The aim of the present retrospective study is to analyze the survival and success rates of a series of implants placed in the atrophic posterior maxilla with a transcrestal osteotome procedure, without placing a bone grafting material. Materials and Methods From 2006 to 2014, 36 dental implants (Neoss Ltd., Harrogate, UK) were inserted in 36 patients with at least 4 mm of bone below the maxillary sinus using transcrestal osteotome sinus floor elevation and placement of collagen sponge below the sinus membrane. ISQ measurements were made after implant placement and at abutment surgery after 4 to 6 months. The vertical bone height (VBH) was evaluated in intraoral radiographs taken prior to surgery and in radiographs from annual check-up appointments 5 to 13 years after implant placement. In addition, marginal bone loss (MBL) was evaluated. Results One implant was lost after four years of prosthetic loading. The remaining 35 implants showed no complications and were loaded with single crowns after 4–6 months of healing. All 35 implants showed clinical success after 8.5 ± 2.8 years of prosthetic loading (from 5 to 13 years). The vertical bone height was 5.9 ± 1.4 mm at surgery, 9.7 ± 1.1 mm at second surgery after 4–6 months, and 8.3 ± 1.8 at the follow-up at 8.5 ± 2.8 years (from 5 to 13 years). The implant stability registered was 73.2 ± 6.2 ISQ at the surgery and 75.8 ± 3.9 at the second surgery after 4–6 months. Conclusions The present long-term follow-up study showed that the crestal approach for sinus floor bone augmentation without additional bone grafting results in predicable bone formation and high implant survival. The osteotome technique is a valid alternative to the more invasive lateral window technique in single cases with a minimum of 4 mm of VBH below the maxillary sinus.

Analysis of X-rays in bone remodelling around Active and Replace dental implants

Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to examine on the basis of radiographic images of bone tissue, whether there are differences in the rate of bone remodelling using different shapes of implants in the mandible and maxilla. Moreover, the study also compares texture features obtained on the basis of these images for healthy bone tissue, bone directly after implantation and after a 12-month period of prosthetic loading. Materials and Methods: The subject of the analysis was radiovisiogram images obtained from the Medical University of Bialystok from the Department of Dental Surgery. They are radiovisiogram photographs of 146 people aged 18–74, treated implantally due to missing teeth. The whole group of patients received two types of implants (Active and Replace) of the same company, made of titanium, intraosseous, screw-in. Results: It has been shown that both in the upper jaw and the mandible, the values of texture parameters obtained for bone images made after one year of prosthetic loading are closer to healthy tissue than immediately after implantation. These values for the mandible were relatively closer to those obtained on the basis of healthy tissue than those for the upper jaw. The bone around the implant with a single threading achieved better results in the mandible than the one with a double threading. Conclusion: The type of bone tissue and the shape of the implant have an impact on the achieved osseointegration. With the passage of time and the process of bone remodelling, the damaged tissue returns to its normal structure.

Platform switching for marginal bone preservation around dental implants: A systematic review

For maintaining peri-implant bone levels, Platform switching has gained popularity among implant manufacturers in the past few years. Greater magnitude and occurrence of bone loss during first year of prosthetic loading. However, the assumption that the inward shifting of the implant-abutment junction may preserve crestal bone was primarily based on serendipitous finding rather than scientific evidence. This paper reviews the literature regarding platform switching, the crestal bone preservation and its endurance.

Influence of Implant Length and Associated Parameters Upon Biomechanical Forces in Finite Element Analyses: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this systematic review is to provide an overview of finite element analyses comparing standard and short dental implants concerning biomechanical properties and to detect the most relevant parameters affecting periimplant stress concentrations. After screening the literature and assessment of studies, 36 studies were included in this review. Eighty-three percent of the studies state that short dental implants have to bear higher stress concentrations compared with standard length implants. At the same time, 44% of articles note that implant diameter can be considered a more effective design parameter than implant length to reduce stress concentrations and to avoid an overload of periimplant bone. Regardless of implant dimension, in all studies, the highest stress concentrations are found in the cortical section around the upper part of the implant. Unaffected of bone quality, implant diameter is found to play a key role to minimize periimplant stress concentrations. Concerning stress reduction implant length gains increasing relevance with decreasing bone density. Furthermore, splinting of short implants constitute an appropriate tool to avoid crestal overloading.

Marginal soft tissue stability around conical abutments inserted with the one abutment-one time protocol after 5 years of prosthetic loading.

Soft tissue stability is crucial to obtain and maintain optimal esthetic results. This study aimed to investigate, over 5 years, the soft tissue response using a conical abutment together with the "one-abutment one-time" (OA-OT) protocol in the restoration of implants inserted in the anterior esthetic area. From January 2011 to January 2012, all consecutive patients requiring an implant n the maxillary area between canines were enrolled. After submerged healing and osseointegration, a definitive abutment with a provisional crown was inserted. After 1 month, the definitive crown was delivered (Tdef). Analog impressions were taken before tooth extraction (T0), at implant insertion Timpl, and Tdef, and at 12 months (T1) and 60 months (T5). Casts were scanned and superimposed using a dedicated software. Differences in vertical height of soft tissue margins between the digitized model casts were calculated and paired sample t test was conducted to compare results. To detect the potential role of biotype, groups (thick vs. thin) were compared by analysis of variance with general linear model. Twenty-five patients were enrolled. Three patients dropped out. At the 60-month, 22 patients (12 men and 10 women with mean age of 68.3 ± 11 years) concluded the study follow-up. Horizontal changes demonstrated gain of 1.06 mm at Timpl, 0.94 mm at Tdef, 0.92 mm at T1 and 0.97 mm at T5 compared to T0. Vertical changes demonstrated gain of 0.84 mm at Timpl, 0.11 mm at Tdef, 0.29 mm at T1 and 0.59 mm at T5 compared to T0. The analysis of variance showed a significant better performance of thick biotype in soft tissue horizontal width (P = .022). No statistical differences were noticed for vertical width (P = .111). The use of a conical abutment together with the OA-OT approach allowed longitudinal stable soft tissue dimensions.

Clinical Outcomes of Bicortical Engagement Implants in Atrophic Posterior Maxillae: A Retrospective Study with 1 to 5 Years Follow-up.

Bicortical dental implantation technique was regarded as an alternative to internal sinus lift technique with bone grafting in dental implantation in atrophic maxillae. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the survival rates and bone stability of 6- and 10-mm implants in the posterior maxilla using bicortical dental implantation techniques after 1 to 5 years of prosthetic loading. A total of 53 patients received posterior maxillary implant treatments. Of these, 31 patients received bicortical dental implantation (group A), and 25 patients received traditional implantation (group B). Three patients received an implant with bicortical engagement and another implant without bicortical engagement. The survival rates were calculated, and the marginal bone heights were measured on radiographs at baseline and follow-up. The survival rate of group A was 100%. In contrast, the survival rate of group B was only 74.68%, with survival rates of 51.85% in the 6-mm implant subgroup and 93.33% in the 10-mm implant subgroup. In terms of variations in implant marginal bone heights, a significant difference was found only between the 6-mm subgroups in groups A and B. Significant intrasinus bone gain was found on the mesial and distal sides of the implants in group A. Application of bicortical dental implantation techniques with 6-mm implants could achieve better clinical outcomes in atrophic posterior maxillae.

"Reverse torque of 30Ncm applied to dental implants as test for osseointegration"-a human observational study.

BackgroundOn bone implantology, stability of a dental implant is an essential clinical tool during osseointegration evaluation, as it is a reflection of the structural and functional connection between the bone and the implant.MethodsThe sample was comprised by 17 patients with 40 NanoTec™ and Vellox® implants, placed on the lower jaw, under optimum conditions, after a minimum healing period of 3 months, during stage 2 surgery.ResultsAll 40 implants showed ideal clinical stability after the 30 Ncm reverse torque. There was absence of mobility, absence of radiolucid radiographic images, and symptomatology.ConclusionsThe reverse torque is an accepted and non-invasive clinical method for early verification of initial integration, reducing the incidence of possible failure during the first year of prosthetic loading. This is the first study in humans which shows that 30 Ncm is possible, which means a greater safety for prosthetics, since prosthetic parts are turned with up to 35 Ncm.

Ten-year hard and soft tissue results ofa pilot double-blinded randomized controlled trial on immediately loaded post-extractive implants using platform-switching concept.

To evaluate the 10-year post-loading radiological and esthetic outcomes of implants inserted in post-extraction sites and restored with or without platform-switching protocol. Twenty-two patients were scheduled for maxillary post-extractive implant, using a 13mm in length and 5.5mm in diameter implant (Global, Sweden & Martina, Padua, Italy). They randomly received definitive restorations using platform-switching concept (abutment 3.8mm in diameter: test group) or standard restoration (abutment 5.5mm in diameter: control group). Outcome measures were survival rates of implants and prostheses, peri-implant marginal bone loss and periodontal indices 10years after prosthetic loading. Moreover, esthetic parameters including soft tissue buccal peri-implant mucosal levels (REC) and mesial and distal papilla height (PH) were taken at definitive restoration, 2 and 10years thereafter. Nineteen implants were analyzed after 10years of follow-up. No implants nor prostheses failed. The postoperative radiographs demonstrated an overall mean bone loss of 0.18±0.14mm in the test group and of 0.80±0.40mm in the control group (P=0.00108). Test group showed 0.23±0.51mm of REC gain and PH was of 0.21±0.33mm on average. On the other side, the control group presented a REC=-0.59±0.80mm with PH=-1.12±0.55mm, demonstrating a slight continuous soft tissue shrinkage during the entire follow-up. The mean values were statistically significant different between test and control group for both REC gain (P=0.01174) and PH (P=0.0009). With the limitations of this study, immediate single implant restorations rehabilitated with platform-switching protocol may provide peri-implant alveolar bone-level stability and avoid continuous soft tissue shrinkage after 10years of prosthetic loading compared to a platform-matching restoration. Further studies involving larger sample sizes are required to confirm these preliminary results.

Osseointegrated implants in vertical ridge augmentation with a nonresorbable membrane: a retrospective study of 75 implants with 1 to 6 years of follow-up.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate 75 implants inserted in vertically augmented bone at the time of or prior to implant placement after 1 to 6 years of prosthetic loading. The study included 21 patients (29 surgical sites). The vertical procedure was performed combining a titanium-reinforced expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane with autograft (7 sites), allograft (5 sites), or auto-xenograft (17 sites). Healing was uneventful in 24 surgical sites. Three sites showed premature exposure, and two sites presented an abscess. Two implants were lost, for a cumulative survival rate of 93.6%. Mean bone remodeling at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years was 0.34, 0.72, 1.04, 0.84, 0.56, and 0.61 mm, respectively. The implant success rate was higher with a simultaneous approach (82.5%) compared with a staged approach (66.8%). Implants surrounded by keratinized mucosa revealed a higher success rate (82.1%) than those without it (58.4%).

Influence of Prosthetic Parameters on Peri‐Implant Bone Resorption in the First Year of Loading: A Multi‐Factorial Analysis

The first year of prosthetic loading is crucial to peri-implant bone levels; however, contributing factors are yet barely understood. The purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of patient-, implant-, and prosthetic-related parameters on marginal bone resorption in partially edentulous patients within the first year of prosthetic loading. This retrospective multifactorial analysis involved the following influencing factors: patient gender and age, implant diameter, implant location and neck design, insertion torque, insertion depth, splinted versus single-tooth restorations, crown height space, and crown-to-implant ratio. Mean peri-implant bone resorption around 200 dental implants was 0.98 ± 0.76 mm and significantly correlated to higher implant insertion depth (p < .001), whereas no association to prosthetic parameters could be observed. Within the limits of the present analysis, it can be concluded that apical implant positioning may constitute a relevant determinant of early peri-implant bone resorption.

In selected sites, short, rough-surfaced dental implants are as successful as long dental implants: A critical summary of Pommer B, Frantal S, Willer J, Posch M, Watzek G, Tepper G. Impact of dental implant length on early failure rates: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Clin Periodontol 2011;38(9):856-863.

In adult patients, do short dental implants (< 10 millimeters) lead to failure rates similar to those for longer implants (≥ 10 mm) in the first year of loading? Two independent reviewers searched three electronic databases and 29 journals for articles published from January 1998 to January 2008. The authors included in the review only English-language, prospective observational studies in which the allocation decision occurred in the course of usual treatment. Also, implants must have been placed in nonaugmented healed jawbone after a conventional healing period of three to six months. The primary outcome measured was implant failure within the first year of prosthetic loading, determined on the basis of established criteria.1 A meta-analysis was carried out in which the authors compared the association between implant length and failure. In addition, the authors performed subgroup analyses of failure as a function of the implants’ diameter, surface texture and location in the maxillary or mandibular arch. Fifty-four trials, including 19,563 dental implants (with only a 2.4 percent dropout rate), met the inclusion criteria. The results of the meta-analysis, which consisted of 40 studies (2,223 short implants and 14,158 long implants), showed that shorter implants had an overall failure rate statistically significantly higher than that for long implants within the first year of loading (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.5). The results of subgroup analyses showed a statistically significant difference in failure rates for short and long implants in the maxilla, but no difference in the mandible. However, with the possible exception of the anterior maxilla, the failure rates for rough surfaced implants in the two groups (1,298 short implants and 7,544 long implants) were not statistically significantly different (OR = 1.1; 95 percent CI, 0.6-2.1). The authors found no association between implant diameter and failure rates within one year of prosthetic loading. With the possible exception of the maxillary anterior area, rough-surfaced short implants with a minimum length of 7 mm present no additional risk of failure within the first year of loading.

Bone Regeneration Using a Hollow Hydroxyapatite Space‐Maintaining Device for Maxillary Sinus Floor Augmentation – A Clinical Pilot Study

The mere lifting of the maxillary sinus membrane by implants protruding into the sinus cavity allows the establishment of a void space for blood clot and new bone formation. To evaluate bone formation by using a spherical, hollow, and perforated hydroxyapatite space-maintaining device (HSMD) in a two-stage sinus lift procedure where residual alveolar bone height was ≤2 mm. Spherical, hollow, and perforated HSMDs with a diameter of 12 mm were manufactured for this pilot study. Three patients with a residual bone height of 1-2 mm, as verified clinically and radiographically, and in need of a sinus augmentation procedure prior to implant installation were selected for the study. The HSMD and bone formation was evaluated by cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) 6 months after augmentation procedure. Implants were installed 6 to 9 months after augmentation. The implant sites were prepared by a trephine drill to obtain a specimen of HSMD and bone for histological evaluation. After implant installation, the condition of the sinus membrane adjacent to the HSMD was evaluated endoscopically. After an additional 8 weeks, fixed partial prostheses were fabricated. Bone formation verified by CBCT was found around and inside the device in all three patients after 6 months. Despite the fact that residual bone before augmentation was ≤2 mm, 12-mm-long implants with diameter of 4.8 mm could be inserted with preservation of an intact and healthy sinus membrane verified endoscopically. Bone formation inside HSMDs was noted histologically in two out of three HSMDs. Implants were stable and without any marginal bone loss after 1 year of prosthetic loading. A spherical, hollow, and perforated HSMD used in sinus lift procedures can produce a void space for blood clot and new bone formation and subsequent implant installation.

Ten‐Year Retrospective Follow‐Up Study of the TiOblast™ Dental Implant

Long-term results in the clinical outcome of different implant systems, including high patient numbers and a long follow-up time, are rare. This retrospective study evaluated the cumulative survival rate of a self-tapping, cylindrical implant system with a conical implant-abutment connection after 10 years of prosthetic loading. A total of 516 TiOblast implants (Astra Tech AB, Mölndal, Sweden) were placed in 108 patients. The patients were treated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany, between September 1994 and May 2005. The main indications for implantation were the treatment of edentulous mandibles (74%) and partial edentulism (15%). Twenty-three implants were placed postradiation, and a further 64 implants were irradiated after insertion. In 153 implants, a bony augmentation was conducted prior to implantation. The in situ rate was 89.7% after an average implantation time of 108 months. Eighty-three patients with 403 implants were available for investigation. Seventeen patients with 76 implants have died since 1994. Absence of osseointegration (n = 22), peri-implantitis (n = 18), fracture of the implants (n = 9), failing of primary stability (n = 2), and implants next to tumors (n = 2) were the reasons of explantation in 26 patients. Under analysis with different implant success-assessment criteria, the success rate showed results from 76 to 89%. With respect to the critical patient selection including a high number of patients with minor and major augmentations, the 10-year clinical use of the studied implant system showed acceptable results.

Impact of dental implant length on early failure rates: a meta-analysis of observational studies

To test the null hypothesis of no difference in failure rates of short (minimum length: 7 mm) and longer dental implants (≥ 10 mm), a meta-analysis was performed on prospective observational trials. A systematic electronic and hand search was performed to identify eligible studies. Having additional data supplied by the authors, 54 publications were included (19,083 implants). In case of mandibular implants, the null hypothesis of no impact of reduced implant length on failure within the first year of prosthetic loading could not be rejected. A significant impact of implant length could be substantiated for short machined implants in the anterior [odds ratio (OR) 5.4] and posterior maxilla (OR 3.4), while short rough-surfaced implants demonstrated increased failure rates in the anterior maxillary sites. No influence of implant diameter and denture type on the failure rate of short implants could be revealed. In areas of reduced alveolar bone height the use of short dental implants may reduce the need for invasive bone augmentation procedures.