Early loading (2 or 6 weeks) of sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) ITI implants in the posterior mandible. A 1-year randomized controlled clinical trial

The aim of this 1-year prospective controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of early loading of ITI solid screw titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surface on clinical and radiographic parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutively admitted patients presenting bilateral edentulous posterior mandibular areas and in need of prosthetic reconstruction were recruited. Sixty-seven ITI standard solid screw implants with an SLA surface, a diameter of 4.1 mm and a length of 8, 10 or 12 mm were installed bilaterally in molar and premolar areas according to a one-stage surgical protocol. One week (test) and 5 weeks (control) after implant placement, solid ITI prosthetic abutments were connected using a torque of 35 N cm. No provisional restoration was fabricated. Two weeks (test) and 6 weeks (control) after implant placement, porcelain-fused-to-metal single-tooth crowns were cemented. Clinical measurements were obtained at day 0 and 2, 6, 12, 24 and 52 weeks thereafter. Periapical radiographs were taken immediately after implant placement, after 6 weeks and at the 1-year examination. RESULTS: After 1 year, implant survival was 100%. Two test and one control implants rotated at the time of abutment connection and were left unloaded for 12 additional weeks. At the 1-year examination, no statistically significant differences were found between the test and control sites with respect to pocket probing depths (2.6 mm +/- 0.5 vs. 2.7 mm +/- 0.5), mean clinical attachment levels (3.1 mm +/- 0.4 vs. 3.2 mm +/- 0.5), mean percentages of sites bleeding on probing (9.7% vs. 8.3%), mean widths of keratinized mucosa (1.8 mm +/- 0.4 vs. 1.9 mm +/- 0.5), mean PerioTest values (-1.4 PTV +/- 0.9 vs. -1.6 PTV +/- 0.8) or mean crestal bone loss measurements (0.57 mm +/- 0.49 vs. 0.72 mm +/- 0.50). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, loading of titanium implants with an SLA surface as early as 2 weeks did not appear to jeopardize the osseointegration healing process in the posterior mandible. Furthermore, implants rotating at 35 N cm, if left unloaded for additional 12 weeks, did not negatively affect clinical and radiographic outcomes.     

A prospective study evaluating a protocol for 6 weeks' loading of SLA implants in the posterior maxilla: one year results

Experimental and clinical studies have shown that modification of implant surfaces can result in increased bone-to-implant contact at earlier times thus reducing the healing period between surgery and prosthesis. Sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) implants are in this category and have successfully undergone early loading in patients with good bone quality and quantity. Nevertheless, premature loading of SLA implants was not routinely possible in predominantly trabecular bone, such as the posterior maxilla, as it is often characterized by a deficiency in initial bone to implant contact. The purpose of this prospective clinical investigation is to evaluate the efficacy of a modified surgical protocol followed by loading SLA implants at 6 weeks in the posterior maxilla. Drilling was limited to the minimum, and most of the site preparation was produced with osteotomes. Screw tapping was never performed and primary stability was always achieved. Abutment connection was carried out at 15 Ncm 43 (+/- 1) days after surgery and provisional restoration was fabricated. Further abutment tightening at 35 Ncm was performed after an additional 6 weeks. Of the 36 SLA implants placed in 19 patients, one was lost before final restoration. Clinical and radiographic measures were taken at baseline and 1 year postoperatively. The preliminary results suggest that, by means of the surgical and restorative technique presented, SLA implants are suitable for loading at 6 weeks in the posterior maxilla. More years of observation will verify whether osseointegration can be equally maintained over a long period.     

Early loading of ITI implants supporting maxillary fixed full-arch prostheses

Objective: To evaluate the predictability of the early‐loaded sand‐blasted, large‐grit and acid‐etched (SLA) implants supporting maxillary‐fixed full‐arch prostheses. Material and methods: Ninety‐one ITI SLA implants were placed in 12 edentulous maxillae. The impressions were taken at 4 weeks post‐surgery. The abutments were tightened and the final fixed prostheses were cemented at 6 weeks after implant placement. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was conducted on the day of the surgery, at 4 and 6 weeks post‐surgery. Panoramic radiographs were taken immediately after surgery, at 4 weeks post‐surgery, immediately after prostheses attachment (baseline) and at the yearly follow‐ups. Results: The survival rate of implants was 98.90%. The success rate of prostheses was 100% during the follow‐ups. The radiographic result showed no radiolucency around the implants and the marginal bone level revealed no significant resorption compared with the baseline. The marginal bone level remained coronally beyond the first thread. The RFA results revealed Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values of 63.44±4.32, 57.14±4.25 and 66.43±3.78 for the three time points. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that early loading of ITI implants supporting maxillary fixed full‐arch prostheses should be predictable.     

Early loading of sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) implants: a prospective split-mouth comparative study

Sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) implants were recently introduced to reduce the healing period between surgery and prosthesis. In this split-mouth study, SLA implants were compared to titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants under loaded conditions one year after placement in 32 healthy patients, with comparable bilateral edentulous sites and no discrepancies in the opposing dentition. The surgical procedure was performed by the same operator and was identical at 68 SLA (test) and 68 TPS (control) sites. Tapping was never performed and primary stability was always achieved. Abutment connection was carried out at 35 Ncm 6 weeks postsurgery for test sites and 12 weeks for the controls, by the same dentist blind to the type of surface of the implant. In 4 of the 68 test sites the implant rotated slightly, patients reported minor pain and connection was not completed. Provisional restoration was fabricated and a new tightening was performed after six weeks. Similar gold-ceramic restorations were cemented on the same type of solid abutments on both sites. No implant was lost. Clinical measures and radiographic changes were recorded by the same operator, blind to the type of surface of the implant, 1 year post surgery. No significant differences were found with respect to presence of plaque (24% vs. 27%), bleeding on probing (24% vs. 31%), mean pocket depth (3.3 mm vs. 2.9 mm) or mean marginal bone loss (0.65 mm vs. 0.77 mm). The results suggest that SLA implants are suitable for early loading at 6 weeks. Limited implant spinning may occasionally be found but, if properly handled, it produces no detrimental effect on the clinical outcome.     

Conventional and early loading of unsplinted ITI implants supporting mandibular overdentures

The aim of this study was to compare the success rates after 1 and 2 years of conventionally and early loaded pairs of unsplinted ITI implants supporting mandibular overdentures in edentulous patients. Twenty-four participants (age range 55-80 years) were randomly allocated with maximum concealment to two treatment groups. In the first group, the implants were allowed to heal for 12 weeks before being functionally loaded (control) and the second group had 6 weeks of healing with identical loading. All participants had new conventional complete maxillary and mandibular dentures prior to the study. Two sandblasted large-grit acid-etched (SLA) surface ITI implants were placed in the mandibular interforaminal area, following a standardized nonsubmerged surgical protocol. After 6 or 12 weeks of healing, matrices were processed into the fitting surface of the pre-existing mandibular dentures and the implants loaded. Implant success was determined using mobility tests and radiographs taken at baseline and 52 and 104 weeks after surgery. Clinical peri-implant parameters were also documented. Results showed all implants successfully osseointegrated, according to accepted criteria, after 2 years. Mean loss of crestal bone height after 1 year was 0.35 +/- 0.22 mm (control) vs. 0.27 +/- 0.18 mm (test). After 2 years this reduced to 0.09 +/- 0.06 mm (control) vs. 0.12 +/- 0.17 mm (test). The mean Periotest value after 1 year was -4.9 (control) vs.-3.78 (test). After 2 years, the mean resonance frequency value for the control implants was 6797 Hz [mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) = 64.77] and for the test implants 6670 Hz (mean ISQ = 62.0). Shortened loading periods for these ITI implants did not cause any statistically significant differences in osseointegration or peri-implant parameters. We conclude that pairs of unsplinted SLA-surface ITI implants can be successfully loaded with mandibular overdentures 6 weeks after surgery.     

Basic surgical principles with ITI implants

The basic surgical principles governing the placement of ITI implants are based on research-oriented developments in harmony with evidence-based and outcome-oriented clinical procedures. In the past 15 years, the range of implant indications has been significantly widened, and partially edentulous patients clearly represent the majority of patients seeking treatment with dental implants today. An important aspect of the successful rehabilitation of patients with ITI implants is the careful selection of implant candidates with respect to systemic and local risk factors. These factors are presented based on current knowledge. Today, solid-screw implants in various screw dimensions and neck configurations comprise the ITI Dental Implant System. These different implant types are necessary to handle the full range of implant indications, in particular in partially edentulous patients. The main clinical factors are presented for the selection of the appropriate implant type, length and diameter. These implants are utilized both in a non-submerged and in a submerged approach. The main goal of surgical therapy is low trauma and the least demanding surgical procedure for patient and clinician to optimize the cost-effectiveness of implant therapy. Hence, a non-submerged approach is preferred in all sites without esthetic priority, such as in fully edentulous patients or in posterior sites of partially edentulous patients. These indications clearly represent the majority of implant patients. In esthetic sites, a submerged approach is utilized to satisfy the specific esthetic demands. The possibility to successfully utilize short implants (6 and 8 mm) and a reduced healing period of 3 months are further advantages of ITI implants due to favorable properties of the rough TPS surface. With the introduction of the microrough SLA surface, a reduction of the healing period to 6 weeks facilitates further progress towards simplification of implant therapy. In summary, the ITI Dental Implant System represents a scientifically well-documented, complete implant system for the treatment of fully and partially edentulous patients, offering straightforward surgical concepts based on predictable treatment outcome and excellent cost-effectiveness.     

Early loading of nonsubmerged titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surface: 3-year results of a prospective study in partially edentulous patients

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of ITI implants with the SLA surface that were loaded after 6 weeks of healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, a total of 104 implants were placed in posterior sites of 51 partially edentulous patients exhibiting bone densities of Class 1, 2, or 3. After a healing period of 6 weeks, all implants were functionally loaded with cemented crowns or fixed partial dentures. The patients were recalled at 3, 12, 24, and 36 months for clinical and radiographic examination. RESULTS: One implant failed to integrate during healing, and 1 implant was lost to follow-up and considered a dropout. The remaining 102 implants showed favorable clinical and radiographic findings and were considered successfully integrated at the 3-year examination. This resulted in a 3-year success rate of 99.03%. DISCUSSION: The peri-implant soft tissues were stable over time, as evidenced by no changes in the mean probing depths and the mean attachment levels during the follow-up period. None of the radiographs exhibited signs of continuous peri-implant radiolucency, which confirmed ankylotic stability of all 102 implants. The radiographic evaluation of the bone level at the implant indicated stability of the bone crest levels. CONCLUSION: The results of this prospective study demonstrated that early loading of ITI implants with the SLA surface after an unloaded healing period of 6 weeks provided successful tissue integration with high predictability, and that successful tissue integration was well maintained up to 3 years of follow-up in this study population.     

ITI常规种植体即刻种植的临床观察

目的：评价常规ITI种植体和TE种植体应用于即刻种植的近期临床效果。方法：60例患者共103颗种植体,外伤牙、残根微创拔出即刻植入种植体,随机分常规ITI种植体组30例55枚种植体;另30例采用TE种植体组,48枚种植体。种植体周骨缺损植入Bio-0ss骨粉,植入6个月后行上部修复。修复后追踪时间平均12个月。结果：常规ITI种植体组无种植体脱落,存留率100%,TE种植体组无种植体脱落,存留率100%,二者差异无统计学意义。其龈袋深度、出血指数、年累计骨吸收量及X线检查均无明显不同。常规ITI种植体组种植体周围发生炎症一颗;两组采用GBR技术创口开裂各1例。结论：在严格掌握适应证的情况下,即刻种植中常规ITI种植体可以取得与TE种植体同样的成功率。近期效果良好,长期效果有待追踪     

Surgical procedures in partially edentulous patients with ITI implants

Today, partially edentulous patients represent the majority of patients seeking treatment with implant-supported prostheses. This chapter presents the specific aspects of the surgical handling of partially edentulous patients with either single-tooth gaps, extended edentulous spaces or distal extension situations. Due to differences in treatment objectives, a distinction is made between sites without esthetic priority (non-esthetic sites) and with esthetic priority (esthetic sites). In non-esthetic sites, the primary goal of the surgical therapy is to achieve a predictable hard and soft tissue integration of the implant to re-establish function with the implant-supported prosthesis. In esthetic sites, the goal of surgical therapy is to achieve successful tissue integration and to obtain esthetic soft tissue contours to re-establish both function and esthetics. Therefore, the surgeon must have a clear understanding of the specific needs in a given situation, and must master the necessary surgical techniques concerning a correct implant placement and a correct soft tissue handling to achieve the treatment objectives. In non-esthetic sites, a non-submerged approach is clearly preferred, thus avoiding a second-stage procedure for abutment connection. If a soft tissue correction is necessary to re-establish keratinized peri-implant mucosa, this is done at the time of implant placement with mucogingival surgery. In esthetic sites, a submerged implant placement is preferred to achieve esthetically pleasing soft tissue contours. If a soft tissue augmentation is necessary, this is done at the time of implant placement with connective tissue grafts. Thus, the second surgical procedure after 8-10 weeks of healing is reduced to a mucosaplasty like a punch biopsy, avoiding an open flap procedure. Based on favorable properties of the TPS surface, short implants (6 or 8 mm) and short healing periods of 3-4 months have been successfully utilized in partially edentulous patients in the last 14 years. The introduction of the SLA surface allows a further reduction of the healing period to 6 weeks of healing in all sites with normal bone density (class I-III). In summary, the ITI philosophy offers straightforward surgical concepts to predictably achieve the treatment objectives with the least demanding surgical protocol, reducing the related chairtime and costs for the patient and the clinician.     

A 7-year life table analysis from a prospective study on ITI implants with special emphasis on the use of short implants. Results from a private practice

This paper reports on a 7-year life table analysis on ITI titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) and sandblasted and etched (SLA) implants placed in a private practice and loaded for at least 1 year. In 236 patients, 528 (264 TPS and 264 SLA) implants were placed, 351 (66.5%) implants rehabilitated the posterior region and 71.1% implants were < or =11 mm. In the posterior mandible and maxilla, the mean implant length was 9.90 and 9.74 mm respectively. Implant length was determined through standard radiographs only. Increase of the number of implants or reduction of the width or length of the rehabilitations was no specifically sought for the shorter implants. One hundred and twenty-two SLA implants were loaded within 63 days. All early loaded SLA implants resisted the applied 35 N cm without rotation or pain. Three implants failed, one early and two late failures, all were SLA implants placed in the mandible. Shorter implants did not fail more than longer ones. The cumulative success rate was 99.40%. The predictable use of short implants supporting single crowns and small fixed partial dentures of 2-4 units supported by two to three implants permitted (1) restricting the need for sophisticated and expensive presurgical procedures aimed to determine precisely the available bone height by computerized radiographic methods, (2) the placement of prosthetically driven restoration instead os surgically driven ones, (3) reducing the indications span for complex invasive procedures like sinus lift and bon grafting procedures, (4) facilitating the surgery, without attempting to place the longest implant and (5) avoiding the occurrence of sensation disturbance. The safe use of short implants in a private practice should make implant therapy simpler and accessible to a higher number of patients and practitioners.     

A 5-year longitudinal study of the clinical effectiveness of ITI solid-screw implants in the treatment of mandibular edentulism

PURPOSE: The aim of this longitudinal study was to gain 5-year clinical documentation of the 1-stage surgical technique in connection with ITI solid-screw implants used in the edentulous mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with totally edentulous mandibles were treated with bar-retained overdentures supported by a total of 340 consecutively placed ITI solid-screw implants. The patients were followed at annual intervals for at least 5 years to evaluate implant success, longitudinal reactions of the peri-implant hard and soft tissues, and incidences of biologic and mechanical complications. RESULTS: During the trial period, a total of 4 implants failed, all prior to loading, and 51 implants were lost to follow-up, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 98.8% after 5 years of functional service. The success analysis included additional strictly defined events (either "first occurrence of marginal bone loss > or = 4 mm" or "first occurrence of pocket depth > or = 4 mm" and "first occurrence of crevicular fluid flow rate > or = 2.5 mm) and resulted in a cumulative 5-year success rate of 95.7%. The median marginal bone loss experienced between implant placement and prosthetic treatment was 0.5 mm, followed by an annual bone level change of 0.1 mm for the functional period of 5 years. The increasing incidence of remarkable plaque deposits from 19% to 50% represented the difficulties of the patients in maintaining a high level of oral hygiene, particularly for the lingual surfaces. Sulcus Bleeding Index, probing depth, attachment level, and crevicular fluid flow rate were used to describe the health of the peri-implant soft tissues and remained almost within acceptable standards. DISCUSSION: Survival and success rates of implants, amount of marginal bone loss, and periodontal indices of peri-implant soft tissues were consistent with those reported in the literature regarding implants with the submerged healing concept. CONCLUSION: With a cumulative survival rate of 98.8%, a cumulative success rate of 95.7%, and a median marginal bone loss of 0.5 mm during the healing period, followed by an annual rate of 0.1 mm after loading, non-submerged ITI solid-screw implants confirm the good clinical outcome of implant-supported treatment concepts for the rehabilitation of totally edentulous patients in a medium-term perspective.     

Osteotome sinus floor elevation without grafting material: a 1-year prospective pilot study with ITI implants

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present pilot study was to evaluate: (1) the predictability of an osteotome sinus floor elevation procedure with ITI-SLA implants without placing a bone grafting material, and (2) the possibility to gain bone height without filling the created space with a bone grafting material. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen patients received 25 implants protruding in the sinus. Most implants (21/25) were 10 mm long, eight were inserted in type 2 bone, 12 in type 3 and five in type 4 bone. At implant placement, the mean residual bone height (RBH) under the maxillary sinus was 5.4+/-2.3 mm; it was 5.7+/-2.6 mm on the mesial side and 5.1+/-1.9 mm on the distal side. Nineteen implants had less than 6 mm of bone on at least one side and six implants had less than 6 mm on both sides. A healing period of 3-4 months was allowed before abutment tightening at 35 Ncm. The percentage of stable implants at abutment tightening and at the 1-year control was calculated. The endo-sinus bone gain and the crestal bone loss (CBL) at the mesial and distal sides were measured. RESULTS: Abutments were tightened after 3.1+/-0.4 months. All implants but one (96%) resisted the applied 35 Ncm torque. At the 1-year control, all implants were clinically stable and supported the definitive prosthesis. All showed endo-sinus bone gain; the mean gain was 2.5+/-1.2 mm. The mean CBL was 1.2+/-0.7 mm. Endo-sinus bone gain and RBH showed a strong negative correlation (r=-0.78 on the mesial side and -0.80 on the distal side). A good correlation (r=0.73) was found between implant penetration in the sinus and endo-sinus bone gain. CONCLUSION: Elevation of the sinus membrane alone without addition of bone grafting material can lead to bone formation beyond the original limits of the sinus floor. Despite a limited RBH at implant placement, a healing period of 3 months was sufficient to resist a torque of 35 N cm and to lead to a predictable implant function at the 1-year control.     

Immediately loaded implants supporting fixed prostheses in the edentulous maxilla: a preliminary clinical and radiologic report

PURPOSE: To evaluate the survival rate of immediately loaded ITI sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) solid-screw dental implants in the edentulous maxilla after 8 months of loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients (mean age 63 years) with edentulous maxillae each received 6 implants and 1 implant-supported fixed provisional prosthesis within 24 hours after surgery. After a mean healing time of 15 weeks, the patient received a definitive, screw-retained, implant-supported fixed prosthesis. A total of 168 implants were placed. Clinical parameters were registered after 1 month of loading with the implant-supported fixed prostheses as well as 8 months after implant placement. Radiologic examinations and assessments were made at implant placement and after 8 months. RESULTS: The mean marginal bone level at implant placement was 1.6 mm (range 0 to 5.1; SD 1.1) apical of the reference point (the implant shoulder). The mean marginal bone level at the 8-month follow-up was 3.2 mm (range 0.4 to 5.9; SD 1.1) apical of the reference point. Three implants failed during the healing period. DISCUSSION: The improved results in the present study might be a result of the positive effect of splinting the implants immediately after placement. CONCLUSION: ITI SLA solid-screw implants immediately loaded (ie, loaded within 24 hours of placement) and supporting fixed prostheses had successful survival rates after 8 months. The present results constitute a solid baseline for future follow-up studies.     

Reintegration success of osseotite implants after intentional countertorque liberation in the endentulous human mandible

PURPOSE: Implants that rotate during abutment screw tightening may not necessarily constitute implant failure. This prospective study was designed to determine to what degree integrated implants could gain a state of reintegration after intentional countertorque to liberation from the bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were 11 patients with fully edentulous mandibles restored with 2 "clinical" implants (3.75 x 10 mm) placed in the canine sites and an additional nonused "test" implant (3.75 x 10 mm) placed at the symphysis of the anterior mandible. At second-stage surgery, the test implant was countertorqued (T1) using a torque-metering wrench until it detached from the bone. The implant was returned to its original position and allowed to heal for a period until a second countertorque test (T2) was performed. In group A, patients (n = 5) received the countertorque T1 at 3 months and T2 at 5 months. In group B (n = 6) T1 was at 1.5 months, and T2 was at 3.5 months. After completion of T2, the group A test implants were removed with a 5-mm trephine for histologic examination. RESULTS: For both groups, peak forces, all higher than 37.4 Ncm at T1, indicate that all implants were integrated. At T2, torque values were higher than T1 values for most of the test implants. The clinical implants were restored with "patrix" abutments and an overdenture. Histology staining showed distinction between old and new bone, which formed during the remodeling process. DISCUSSION: The increase in peak forces needed to detach implants at T2 may be explained by bone-to-bone healing or the additional bone contact promoted by bleeding that occurred during the T1 procedure. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that all implants were reintegrated after being intentionally countertorqued to liberation and resumed healing in the original osteotomy position.     

单个种植体即刻种植即刻负重骨结合情况的动物实验研究

目的本实验设计了单个种植体即刻种植即刻负重的动物模型,目的在于研究种植体周围硬组织的变化.方法选取8只成年狗,体重10～15 kg.分别拔除每只狗的双侧下颌第二前磨牙;同时,各植入一枚ITI种植体,分别以20Ncm及30Ncm的扭矩旋入.实验侧即刻以树脂冠行上部结构修复,对照侧无负荷.每只狗在植入种植体后和处死后拍X线片,观察其影像学的改变.动物分别于1个月和3个月处死后取标本,观察其组织学的改变.结果16枚种植体中14枚种植体获得良好的骨结合,种植体周围包绕着致密的骨组织,未观察到任何间隙和结缔组织长入.实验侧1枚种植体脱落,对照侧1枚种植体松动.结论单个种植体的即刻种植即刻负重是一个可行的选择.     

Maxillary sinus floor augmention with autogenous bone grafts to enable placement of SLA-surfaced implants: preliminary results after 15-40 months

This study presents preliminary results of placing SLA(R) surfaced ITI(R) implants in conjunction with maxillary sinus floor augmentations using autogenous bone. One hundred and eighty three ITI implants (SLA(R) surface) were inserted after 66 sinus floor elevation procedures in 41 consecutive patients. Forty-eight implants were placed simultaneously and 135 implants in a staged procedure with an average healing time of 4.9 months (148 days) after sinus grafting. Loading of the implants was allowed following an average time of 4.1 months (122 days). The follow-up time was 15-40 months after implant placement. Clinical follow-up consisted of single tooth and panoramic X-rays, and determination of Bleeding On Probing (BOP) and Plaque Index. One implant failed. One hundred and eleven of the inserted implants were used for fixed dentures, 20 for bar constructions, 41 for single crowns, and 11 were loaded provisionally until today. The total 2-year implant survival rate was 99.5%. Keeping the short follow-up period in mind, the encouraging results compared with previous studies, further support the findings of a positive influence of rough surfaces in grafted bone.     

Mucosal and radiographic aspects during the healing period of implants placed in a one-stage procedure

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to compare peri-implant clinical and radiographic parameters following the placement of nonsubmerged two- and one-stage implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to the IMZ group (20 patients receiving two IMZ two-stage implants in a one-stage procedure) or ITI group (20 patients receiving two ITI implants in the conventional one-stage procedure). The healing period was defined as an 18-week unloaded osseointegration period and a 1-year functional period during which maturation of bone took place. Twelve weeks after implant placement, fabrication of an overdenture with a bar-clip attachment system was started; it was placed at 18 weeks. RESULTS: None of the implants were lost during the osseointegration period; one IMZ implant was removed during the functional period because of mobility. There was no significant difference in Gingival Index between the two groups at all evaluation periods. The mean bone loss during the functional period was 0.6 mm in both groups. A high number of healing abutments loosened in the IMZ group. CONCLUSION: Clinical and radiographic parameters of two-stage implants placed in a one-stage procedure and one-stage implants are comparable during the healing period. Healing abutments of the IMZ implant system loosen easily.     

Enhanced implant stability with a chemically modified SLA surface: a randomized pilot study

PURPOSE: Chemical modification to a sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) implant surface has been shown to enhance the rate of osseointegration. The goal of the present study was to examine changes in stability for implants with a chemically modified SLA surface and to compare their outcomes to those of control implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 31 patients. Each patient received 2 implants with the same physical properties but with surfaces that were chemically different. The control implants had a standard SLA surface, while the test implants had a chemically modified surface. Resonance frequency analysis was assessed weekly over the first 6 weeks following implant placement. RESULTS: All implants proved clinically successful, allowing for restoration. Most implants were placed in the mandible (50 of 62). A shift in implant stability from decreasing stability to increasing stability (P < .001), occurred after 2 weeks for the test implants and after 4 weeks for the control implants. CONCLUSION: The findings from this pilot study provide clinical support for the potential for chemical modification of the SLA surface to alter biologic events during the osseointegration process and demonstrate levels of short-term clinical success similar to those observed for implants with an SLA surface.     

Clinical performance of wide-body implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surface: results of a 3-year follow-up study in a referral clinic

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 3-year success rates of wide-body implants with a regular- or wide-neck configuration and a sandblasted, large grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 151 implants were consecutively placed in posterior sites of 116 partially edentulous patients in a referral clinic at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern. All implants were restored with cemented crowns or fixed partial dentures after a healing period of 6 to 8 weeks (for implants placed without simultaneous bone augmentation) or 10 to 14 weeks (for implants with simultaneous bone augmentation). All patients were recalled 36 months following implant placement for a clinical and radiographic examination. RESULTS: One implant failed to integrate during healing, and 11 implants were lost to follow-up and considered dropouts. The remaining 139 implants showed favorable clinical and radiographic findings and were considered successfully integrated at the 3-year examination. This resulted in a 3-year success rate of 99.3%. Radiographic evaluation of 134 implants indicated stability of the crestal bone levels: During the study period, the crestal bone level changed less than 0.5 mm for 129 implants. CONCLUSION: Successful tissue integration was achieved with wide-body implants with a regular or a wide-neck configuration and an SLA surface with high predictability. This successful tissue integration was well maintained for up to 3 years of follow-up.     

Immediate and early loading of SLA ITI single-tooth implants: an in vivo study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether early and immediate loading of dental implants resulted in adverse consequences as determined clinically, radiographically, and histologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a canine model, 48 sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surfaced implants were placed at 4 different times before definitive restoration and loading. These times were 3 months (group A), 21 days (group B), 10 days (group C), and 2 days (immediately) (group D) before loading. Each implant was restored at the same time with a single gold screw-retained crown. Immediately after restoration all crowns were placed in function. Standardized periapical radiographs were made 1, 2, and 3 months after restoration. At the end of the study, block sections were obtained for histologic examination. Changes in crestal bone height on the mesial and distal aspects of each implant and the change in bone density of the coronal 3 mm of crestal bone were recorded. Primary, secondary, and total bone-to-implant contact; bone marrow-to-implant contact; and connective tissue-to-implant contact were evaluated histologically. RESULTS: All implants were osseointegrated at the end of the study; no clinical failures of integration were noted. The changes in crestal bone heights for groups A, B, C, and D (means +/- SE) were 0.02 +/- 0.07 mm, 0.30 +/- 0.08 mm, 0.15 +/- 0.08 mm, and 0.35 +/- 0.18 mm, respectively. Total bone-to-implant contact for the 4 groups was 69.1%, 71.3%, 74.6%, and 75.2%, respectively (P > .57). DISCUSSION: Under the conditions of this study no statistically significant differences were noted between the 4 different loading protocols for any of the parameters recorded. This finding is consistent with other recent studies and case reports. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that early and immediate loading of single-unit SLA surfaced implants was possible in this model. (More than 50 references.)