Implant treatment in an urban general dentistry residency program: a 7-year retrospective study

Survival rates of multiple implant designs placed in various clinical situations average more than 90%. However, little data have been published on the survival rates of implants placed in dental residency programs. This study reports on the outcome of dental implants placed by first-year general dentistry residents in the University of Florida College of Dentistry-Jacksonville Clinic. The patients for this study received both surgical and restorative implant therapy from 1998 to 2005. A total of 263 patients (147 women, 116 men) were treated with dental implants. On average, a patient was 55.5 years old and received 3 implants. A variety of simple and complex restorative procedures were performed. Advanced general dentistry residents in conjunction with supervisory faculty treated all cases. The cumulative implant survival was 96.6%. Follow-up varied from 6 months to 7 years after placement. Cases included implants not yet loaded as well as implants loaded for 6 years or more. The findings of this study compare favorably with published studies and were unexpected in light of the residents' limited clinical experience.     

Implant treatment in an urban general dentistry residency program: a 4-year retrospective study

Little data have been published on the survival rates of implants placed in dental residency programs. This study reports on the outcome of dental implants placed by first-year general dentistry residents in the University of Florida College of Dentistry-Jacksonville Clinic. The patients for this study received both surgical and restorative implant therapy from 1998 to 2002. A total of 108 patients (62 women, 46 men) were treated with dental implants. On average, a patient was 52.9 years old and received 2.6 implants. A variety of simple and complex restorative procedures were performed. Advanced general dentistry residents in conjunction with supervisory faculty treated all cases. The cumulative implant survival was 98.2%. Follow-up varied from 6 months to 4 years after placement. Cases included implants not yet loaded as well as implants loaded for 3 years or more. The findings of this study compare favorably with published studies and were unexpected in light of the residents' limited clinical experience.     

创伤性牙缺失伴骨缺损的种植修复临床探讨

目的:观察口腔颌面部严重创伤后牙缺失伴骨缺损的种植修复临床效果。方法:颌面部严重创伤后牙缺失伴骨缺损患者20例,其中多颗牙连续缺失者12例,共植入ITI Straumann等常用牙种植体65枚,其中5例行骨劈开+骨挤压+骨引导再生(guided bone regeneration,GBR)技术。2～6个月后行上部结构修复,定期随访,检查种植体骨结合情况、种植体周围软组织与修复体情况。结果:本组病例修复后经1～5年的临床观察,除1例所植入的5枚种植体中的1枚,在修复后3年脱落,其余患者各项评价指标均良好,种植体存留率为98%。结论:颌面部严重创伤后的牙列缺损,尤其多颗牙的连续缺失,很难采用其他固定修复方法来完成。种植修复具有不损伤余留牙、美观舒适、咀嚼效果好等优点,是一种良好的修复方法。     

Evaluating the clinical performance of the Osseotite implant: defining prosthetic predictability

A 5-year prospective, multicenter study is in progress at four private dental practices to determine the cumulative implant survival rate and prosthetic outcome when using the Osseotite dental implant in posterior maxillary and mandibular areas. An interim evaluation after 34.4 months of study progress is presented. A total of 219 Osseotite implants were placed in 74 patients (34 women and 40 men with a mean age of 57.8 +/- 15.2 years) using a conventional two-stage surgical protocol and 3- to 6-month healing time. Subsequently, patients were restored with fixed or removable restorations. Nineteen of the 74 patients reported smoking an average of 13.2 cigarettes per day. Restorative treatments included 40 single-unit restorations; 53 splinted 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-unit implant-supported maxillary and mandibular prostheses; 4 full-arch fixed maxillary prostheses; 1 mandibular fixed/detachable hybrid prosthesis; and 1 mandibular overdenture. The mean time from implant placement to second stage surgery was 6.2 +/- 2.0 months; from restoration and implant loading to the most recent follow-up evaluation was 20.9 +/- 6.8 months. Of the 219 implants placed, three posterior maxillary implants developed infections and were removed prior to second stage surgery. No implant failures occurred at second stage surgery or after implant loading. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative implant survival rate was 100% for anterior implants and 98.4% for posterior implants at 28.5 +/- 5.7 months. The cumulative postloading implant survival rate was 100% for both anterior and posterior implants. The results of this study indicate that the Osseotite dental implant achieved a high rate of integration that remained stable during nearly 2 years of implant function. In addition, because no postloading implant failures have occurred, the Osseotite implant has provided a high level of prosthetic predictability.     

种植联合血管化髂骨移植重建14例下颌骨缺损的长期疗效观察

目的: 通过临床及影像学方法,评估种植联合血管化髂骨移植重建下颌骨缺损的长期疗效。方法: 对上海交通大学医学院附属第九人民医院1995—2005年收治的14例患者47颗植入血管化髂骨的种植体进行随访,其中10例30颗种植体为下颌骨血管化髂骨重建术中同期植入,4例17颗种植体为术后二期植入,上部结构均采用种植支持式固定义齿修复。评估分析种植体15年累积生存率及修复体生存率,修复完成后5年及10年分别进行临床评价。采用SPSS 26.0软件包对数据进行统计学分析。结果: 种植体均未发生愈合期内失败。种植体10年、15年累积生存率分别为90.44%和86.67%,修复体15年累积生存率为78.32%。种植体5年及10年边缘骨吸收分别为（2.08±0.27）mm和（4.22±0.48）mm,两者有显著差异（P<0.0001）。生物学并发症主要为种植体周围炎及软组织增生,机械并发症主要为修复体磨耗。结论: 种植联合血管化髂骨移植重建下颌骨缺损的长期疗效较为稳定,是下颌骨缺损重建的有效方法;但种植体周围炎发生率较高,维护种植体周围软、硬组织的稳定是种植体远期疗效的重要保证。     

Feasibility and influence of the microgap of two implants placed in a non-submerged procedure: a five-year follow-up clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a two-piece implant system in a non-submerged procedure and to study the impact of the microgap between the implant and abutment. METHODS: Sixty edentulous patients (Cawood Class V-VI) participated in this study. After randomization, 20 patients received two two-piece implants placed in a non-submerged procedure, 20 patients received two two-piece implants placed in the traditional submerged procedure, and 20 patients were treated with two one-piece dental implants placed in the traditional non-submerged procedure. The implants were placed in the mandible for overdenture treatment. A standardized clinical evaluation was performed and radiographs were taken immediately after denture insertion and yearly up to 5 years. Peri-implant samples were collected 12, 36, and 60 months after loading with sterile paper points and analyzed for the presence of putative periodontal pathogens using culture techniques. RESULTS: One two-piece implant of the non-submerged group and one two-piece implant of the submerged group were lost after 6 and 12 months, respectively. After 5 years of functioning, no significant clinical, radiological, or microbiological differences were found between the three groups. No association was found between the level of the microgap and the amount of bone loss. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that dental implants designed for a submerged implantation procedure can also be used in a non-submerged procedure and may be as predictable as when used in a submerged procedure or as one-piece implants. The microgap at the crestal level in two-piece implants does not appear to have an adverse effect on the amount of peri-implant bone loss.     

Implant dentistry in the undergraduate dental education program at Dalhousie University. Part 1: clinical outcomes

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the outcome of treatments performed by students in the undergraduate implant elective program at Dalhousie University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients treated with dental implants in the undergraduate elective program at the Faculty of Dentistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, between 1994 and 2004 were identified from patient records. Br?nemark implants (Nobel Biocare) were placed by experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons or periodontists using the traditional 2-stage protocol and an intermediate healing period of 3 to 6 months. Undergraduate students in the elective implant program were responsible for the restorative part of the treatment. RESULTS: A total of 166 implants were placed in 95 patients (38 men, 57 women; mean age: 52 years, range: 18 to 84 years). Of the 166 implants, 142 had been restored at the time of the study. Ten of the implants failed: 4 were lost during healing and the remaining 6 were lost after loading, leading to an implant survival rate of 93%. A total of 64 single-implant restorations, 7 multiple-unit fixed restorations, and 33 implant overdentures were fabricated. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the clinical outcome of implant treatments performed by undergraduate students in the implant elective program at Dalhousie University is similar to that reported by experienced clinicians/research teams. Although the implant surgery was performed by an experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon or periodontist, the student had the main responsibility for treatment planning and performing the prosthodontic procedures. The results also suggest that implant dentistry could be implemented as part of the curriculum in the undergraduate programs of dental schools.     

One-year follow-up of first consecutive 100 zirconia dental implants in humans: a comparison of 2 different rough surfaces

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of 100 consecutive zirconia dental implants with 2 different rough surfaces after 1 year of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-piece zirconia dental implants (CeraRoot, Barcelona, Spain) with 1 of 2 different roughened surfaces were designed and manufactured for this study. Five different implant designs were manufactured. Standard or flapless surgical procedures were used for implant placement. Simultaneous bone augmentation or sinus elevation were performed in the cases where bone height or width was insufficient. Implants in the anterior region (canine to canine) were immediately restored with provisional prostheses. Implants placed using less than 35 N torque were splinted with composite resin using an etched and bonded approach to the neighboring teeth or implants to minimize implant mobility and failure. Definitive all-ceramic restorations were placed 4 months after implant placement (8 months for implants where bone augmentation or sinus elevation was performed). RESULTS: The study included 36 patients with a mean age of 50 years. The overall implant success rate after 1 year of follow-up was 98% in both the coated and noncoated groups. CONCLUSIONS: From the preliminary results of this investigation, it can be concluded that zirconia dental implants with roughened surfaces might be a viable alternative for tooth replacement. Further follow-up is needed to evaluate the long-term success rates of the implant surfaces studied.     

Preferred collagen fiber orientation human peri-implant bone after a short- and long-term loading period: a case report

Immediate loading of dental implants offers treatment cost advantages to patients and avoids the functional and psychological problems caused by the wearing of provisional dentures. There is evidence that the amount of transverse collagen fiber orientation in bone is influenced by mechanical stresses and strains. Two osseointegrated dental implants in humans were used in the present study. Two implants inserted in the maxilla were analyzed: 1 short-term implant (implant A) immediately loaded and retrieved after 4 months of loading and 1 long-term implant (implant B) immediately loaded and retrieved after 12 years. We hypothesized that the bone functional strain caused by immediate loading correlated well with the collagen fiber organization occurring after both short- and long-term functional healing. Circularly polarized light (CPL) was used to assess the area fraction extension related to the transverse collagen fiber orientation in the bone matrix. After evaluating a total of 68 digitized images taken at x50 magnification, birefringence measurements were performed all around the implant surfaces by using 2 central sections from each implant. The results showed that the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) percentage for implant A was 67.9% +/- 9.5% (mean +/- SD), whereas the BIC percentage for implant B was 74.6% +/- 11.2% (mean +/- SD). The area fraction extension was 2.7% +/- 1.4 % (mean +/- SD) for implant A, whereas the area fraction extension was 4.7% +/- 1.2% (mean +/- SD) for implant B. The CPL measurements of the birefringence for transverse collagen fibers of implant A vs implant B indicated that the bone fraction area difference was not high. In the bone near both dental implants, no differences were found in the amount of transverse collagen fibers. Immediate loading seemed to determine and maintain the collagen fiber's orientation over a long period.     

Dental implants in geriatric patients: a retrospective study of 47 cases

PURPOSE: To determine the overall success of dental implants placed in geriatric patients. PATIENTS: Dental implants were placed in 47 geriatric patients who were 79 or more years of age at the time of the procedure. The study group was composed of 27 men and 20 women, with a median age of 89 years and a range of 79 to 99 years of age at the time of implant surgery. A total of 73 dental implants were placed in the maxilla and 87 dental implants placed in the mandible. All implants were restored with fixed implant-supported prostheses or removable implant-supported prostheses. Eleven of the patients underwent maxillary sinus augmentation with porous hydroxyapatite and platelet-rich plasma. Seven patients had their implants immediately loaded. RESULTS: A total of 160 dental implants were placed in the 47 geriatric patients. One hundred fifty-nine integrated successfully. In the case of the failed implant, the site was grafted and another implant was placed 5 months subsequent to the initial failure. This replacement implant integrated and has been in function for 6 months. The survival rate for dental implants placed in the maxilla was 99% and in the mandible was 100% in our geriatric population. CONCLUSION: Treatment with dental implants can be predictable and safe for the rapidly growing geriatric population. Geriatric patients who are medically stable are suitable candidates for osseointegrated implant surgery, which facilitates oral function, comfort, and quality of life. A review of the 47 geriatric patients treated supports the conclusion that dental implants can be successfully placed and restored with fixed implant-supported or removable implant-supported prostheses.     

Retrospective multicenter cohort study of the clinical performance of 2-stage implants in South Korean populations

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term follow-up clinical performance of dental implants in use in South Korean populations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective multicenter cohort study design was used to collect long-term follow-up clinical data from dental records of 224 patients treated with 767 2-stage endosseous implants at Ajou University Medical Center and Bundang Jesaeng Hospital in South Korea from June 1996 through December 2003. Exposure variables such as gender, systemic disease, location, implant length, implant diameter, prosthesis type, opposing occlusion type, and date of implant placement were collected. Outcome variables such as date of implant failure were measured. RESULTS: Patient ages ranged from 17 to 71.7 years old (mean age, 45.6 years old). Implants were more frequently placed in men than in women (61% versus 39%, or 471 men versus 296 women). Systemic disease was described by 9% of the patients. All implants had hydroxyapatite-blasted surfaces. Most of the implants were 3.75 mm in diameter. Implant lengths 10 mm, 11.5 mm, 13 mm, and 15 mm were used most often. Differences of implant survival among different implant locations were observed. Implants were used to support fixed partial dentures for the majority of the restorations. The opposing dentition was natural teeth for about 50% of the implants. A survival rate of 97.9% (751 of 767) was observed after 4.5 years (mean, 1.95 +/- 1.2 years). CONCLUSION: Clinical performance of 2-stage dental implants demonstrated a high level of predictability. The results achieved with a South Korean population did not differ from results achieved with diverse ethnic groups.     

Factors associated with implant recommendation for single-tooth replacement

The use of dental implants for single-tooth replacement has been established as a predictable treatment option; yet, limited data are available as to how frequently this option is recommended to patients. The aim of the present study was to examine the frequency of implant recommendation by general dental practitioners after single-tooth extraction and factors influencing their decision to recommend an implant. All single-tooth extractions performed in 26 general dental practice clinics in Kuwait over a 30-day period were examined. Dentists in these centers used the study form to record demographic data, the type of tooth extracted, reason for extraction, and replacement options presented to the patients. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between background factors and decisions to recommend implant therapy. A total of 1367 patients (mean age, 37.9 +/- 11.8 years) had an extraction of one tooth during the study period. Forty-three patients were offered implants as a replacement option (3.3% of the total sample; 8.6% of patients who were offered tooth replacement options). Factors associated significantly with the recommendation of an implant by Kuwaiti dentists to their patients included younger age, regular dental maintenance visits, and adequate oral hygiene practices (P < 0.05; binary logistic regression). Dental implant recommendation for single-tooth replacement in the present sample of dentists was low. Factors associated significantly with dentist recommendation of an implant for single-tooth replacement included age, history of dental maintenance, and oral hygiene practices.     

A 5-year prospective multicenter clinical trial of non-submerged dental implants with a titanium plasma-sprayed surface in 200 patients

Background: Endosseous dental implants are a popular treatment to replace missing teeth. Although many advances have occurred and affected the macrogeometry and surface characteristics of dental implants, among other aspects, it is important to document how the implants perform in patients over time. Such evaluations are helpful not only to document the clinical survival of the implants but also patient satisfaction over an extended period. Methods: A formal prospective multicenter human clinical was performed at five centers involving 200 patients and 626 implants. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used and detailed data collected at specified times using case report forms. An independent study monitor reviewed all study data before entry into the study database. Two implant designs were used in two different clinical indications. A non‐submerged titanium plasma‐sprayed (TPS) hollow cylindrical implant with a smooth transgingival collar was evaluated in the maxillary anterior sextant and a non‐submerged TPS solid screw implant with similar collar in the mandible. Results: Over the course of the 5‐year clinical trial, there was one early failure occurring before definitive prosthesis delivery. Three late failures were documented, one occurring at each of the 6, 12, and 18 months postoperative visits. Life table analysis at 5 years revealed a 99.4% survival rate and a 92.5% success rate. Patient satisfaction was rated as good to excellent for 96.1% of implants in regards to esthetics after 5 years; 98.8% for appearance; and 99.4% for prosthesis comfort, ability to chew and taste, fit, and general satisfaction. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Implant success and survival was over 92% and 99%, respectively, in a formal 5‐year prospective multicenter clinical trial involving 200 patients and 626 non‐submerged TPS implants. These implants included hollow cylinder implants in the anterior maxilla and solid screw implants placed in the mandible. These findings document the predictability and patient satisfaction of tooth replacement using a non‐submerged surgical technique involving a tissue‐level, rough surfaced endosseous dental implant.     

Five- to six-year results of a prospective clinical trial using the ENDOPORE dental implant and a mandibular overdenture

This report is an update on a group of 46 clinical trial patients who each received 3 free‐standing Endopore® dental implants placed using a 2‐stage surgical approach in the anterior mandible. After an initial healing interval of 10 weeks, the implants were used in each case to retain an overdenture, and at the time of the report. all patients had passed 5 years of continuous function. The 5‐year cumulative "survival" rate based on a life table analysis was 93.4% and this remained unchanged after 6 years. The 5‐year "success rate" was 83.3% when assessed qualitatively with the published criteria of others using a four‐field table analysis categorizing every implant in the study as one of "Grade 1 Success", "survival", "unaccounted for" or "failure". Modified periodontal parameters verified continued peri‐implant soft tissue health. No implant still in function had more than 1.8 mm cumulative bone loss during the first 5 years of function. These results provide clear evidence that Endopore® implants despite their short lengths function at least as well as other dental implant 1 designs used in much longer lengths.     

Five-year prospective clinical evaluation of highly crystalline HA MP-1-coated dental implants

Contemporary plasma-sprayed hydroxylapatite (HA) coatings with high crystalline content are much more resistant to in vivo degradation than HA coatings of a decade ago but reportedly exhibit reduced wettability, which could potentially negatively affect tissue adhesion and long-term clinical outcome. The present prospective study was undertaken to determine if highly crystalline HA MP-1-coated implants could meet a minimum 5-year implant success rate standard of 85% in view of their previously reported decreased wettability. Study subjects were consecutive patients with 1 or more missing teeth in the maxillary and/or mandibular jaw who presented in 3 university dental clinics and 1 private dental practice. A total of 120 patients were treated per protocol and successfully restored with implant-supported prostheses. Four implants failed in 3 patients and were withdrawn from the study. There were no other irresolvable adverse events. Cumulative implant success at 5 years was 97% (n = 184 implants in 88 patients), which exceeded the 85% standard for implant success after 5 years of clinical function.     

Life table analysis and clinical evaluation of oral implants supporting prostheses after resection of malignant tumors.

Seventeen mostly elderly patients, 13 men and 4 women, were consecutively admitted for implant-prosthodontic treatment after they had undergone resection of malignant tumors in the oral cavity. A total of 53 dental implants (ITI-Straumann) was placed, 12 in the maxilla, 41 in the mandible. The prosthetic rehabilitation consisted of overdenture therapy in 15 patients, and 2 patients were treated with fixed partial prostheses. Thirty-three implants were prescribed for patients who received radiotherapy either before or after implant placement. The average dose varied between 50 and 74 Gy. Eighteen implants were located in grafted bone from the fibula, scapula, or hip. For 2 patients, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was also prescribed after osteoradionecrosis had developed. One implant was lost before prosthetic loading. During an observation period of up to 7 years after loading, 3 more implants were removed. All implant losses occurred in the mandibles of patients who had received radiotherapy. A life table analysis was performed, and the cumulative survival rates, calculated for 2, 3, and 5 years, were 93%, 90%, and 90% respectively. No failures or complications were observed with technical components of the implants or prostheses. All prostheses could be maintained during the entire observation time. Although in the present investigation the survival rate of implants was slightly lower than under standard conditions, the treatment with implant-supported prostheses seemed to be advantageous for patients who had undergone intraoral resections.     

Bone regeneration around titanium dental implants in dehisced defect sites: a clinical study.

Insufficient bone volume can be a significant problem when placing dental implants. This clinical study was designed to evaluate bone regeneration potential at dehisced dental implant sites. Nineteen titanium dental implants with exposed threads were studied. To create a secluded space for bone formation, an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) membrane was placed over the exposed implant sites secured with an implant cover screw and completely covered with the flap. Three membranes perforated the overlying soft tissue during the healing time and were removed prematurely. The remaining membranes were removed after an uneventful healing period of 4.5 to 6 months. Fourteen of 19 dehisced implant sites were completely covered with newly formed bonelike tissue; 4 implants demonstrated partial bone fill at reentry and 1 implant showed partial fill with soft tissue. In five implant sites a reentry was performed between 6 and 9 weeks; nonmineralized fibrous tissue was found to fill the space under the membrane. At 16 of the 19 implant sites there were similar dehiscence-type defects that were evaluated as a group. These dehiscences varied from 2.0 to 9.0 mm. The percentage of bone fill at reentry ranged from 28.4% to 100% (mean 89.6%; SD 22.51; SE 5.63) and was highly significant (P < .0001). Six to 12 months after prosthesis connection, 12 of the 19 implants were available for radiographic interpretation and an average bone loss of 1.73 mm (SD = 0.43) was measured. This surgical application of an e-PTFE membrane suggested a viable clinical method for enhancing bone formation around dental implants.     

Simultaneous Le Fort I osteotomy and zygomatic implant placement

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcomes of simultaneous LeFort I osteotomy and zygomatic/dental implant placement for oral rehabilitation of patients with extremely atrophic/dysmorphic edentulous maxilla.Simultaneous LeFort I osteotomy and zygomatic/dental implant placement was performed with patient-specific anatomical models and surgical guides produced through three-dimensional virtual planning methods. All patients received their final prosthesis, with immediate loading, on the day after surgery. The primary outcome variables were the implant survival rate, and the incidence of intra/postoperative complications. In total, 15 zygomatic implants and 33 conventional dental implants were inserted in eight patients. The mean follow-up of the patients was 38.5 months. The implant survival rate was 93.3% for zygomatic implants and 100% for dental implants. No intra/postoperative complications were observed.Simultaneous LeFort I osteotomy associated with zygomatic/dental implant surgery can be considered as a valuable treatment option for rehabilitation of patients with extremely atrophic edentulous maxilla and esthetic issues of the face.     

Performance of dental implants after staged sinus floor elevation procedures: 5-year results of a prospective study in partially edentulous patients

Objectives: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the 5‐year performance and success rate of titanium screw‐type implants with the titanium plasma spray (TPS) or the sand‐blasted, large grit, acid‐etched (SLA) surface inserted in a two‐stage sinus floor elevation (SFE) procedure in the posterior maxilla. Material and methods: A total of 59 delayed SFEs were performed in 56 patients between January 1997 and December 2001, using a composite graft with autogenous bone chips combined with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM) or synthetic porous β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP). After a healing period averaging 7.75 months, 111 dental implants were inserted. After an additional 8–14‐week healing period, all implants were functionally loaded with cemented crowns or fixed partial dentures. The patients were recalled at 12 and 60 months for clinical and radiographic examination. Results: One patient developed an acute infection in the right maxillary sinus after SFE and did not undergo implant therapy. Two of the 111 inserted implants had to be removed because of a developing atypical facial pain, and 11 implants were lost to follow‐up and were considered drop‐outs. The remaining 98 implants showed favorable clinical and radiographic findings at the 5‐year examination. The peri‐implant soft tissues were stable over time; the mean probing depths and mean attachment levels did not change during the follow‐up period. The measurement of the bone crest levels (DIB values) indicated stability as well. Based on strict success criteria, all 98 implants were considered successfully integrated, resulting in a 5‐year success rate of 98% (for TPS implants 89%, for SLA implants 100%). Conclusion: This prospective study assessing the performance of dental implants inserted after SFE demonstrated that titanium implants can achieve and maintain successful tissue integration with high predictability for at least 5 years of follow‐up in carefully selected patients.     

Smoking and complications of endosseous dental implants

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of the complications and survival rate related to dental implants among smokers and non-smokers, and to evaluate the influence of smoking by analyzing data of 959 implants placed in 261 patients during the years 1995 to 1998. METHODS: Patients were divided into 3 groups: non-smokers, mild smokers (up to 10 cigarettes per day) and heavy smokers (more than 10 cigarettes per day); smokers were divided into 2 subgroups according to duration of smoking (less or more than 10 years). Complications included minor (spontaneous implant exposure), major (spontaneous implant exposure requiring surgical intervention), and implant failure. The influence of smoking was analyzed for the type of implant cover screw and immediate versus late implantation. RESULTS: The overall failure rate was 2% for non-smokers and 4% for all smokers. Minor and major complications were found in higher percentages (46%) in the smoking groups than in the non-smoking group (31%). A significantly higher incidence of complications was found among smokers who received dental implants with high cover screws (63%) compared to those who received dental implants with flat cover screws (27%). CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes a relationship between implant complications and smoking, implant type (external or internal hex), and time of implantation as significant factors. A higher incidence of complications was found in the smoking group, especially in implants that had a high cover screw. Most complications will not lead to failures. Immediate implants failed less frequently than non-immediate implants. Limiting or reducing smoking habits will decrease complications of endosseous dental implants.