Systematic review of survival rates for implants placed in the grafted maxillary sinus

Based on a systematic review of the literature from 1986 to 2002, this study sought to determine the survival rate of root-form dental implants placed in the grafted maxillary sinus. Secondary goals were to determine the effects of graft material, implant surface characteristics, and simultaneous versus delayed placement on survival rate. A search of the main electronic databases was performed in addition to a hand search of the most relevant journals. All relevant articles were screened according to specific inclusion criteria. Selected papers were reviewed for data extraction. The search yielded 252 articles applicable to sinus grafts associated with implant treatment. Of these, 39 met the inclusion criteria for qualitative data analysis. Only 3 of the articles were randomized controlled trials. The overall implant survival rate for the 39 included studies was 91.49%. The database included 6,913 implants placed in 2,046 subjects with loaded follow-up time ranging from 12 to 75 months. Implant survival was 87.70% with grafts of 100% autogenous bone, 94.88% when combining autogenous bone with various bone substitutes, and 95.98% with bone grafts consisting of bone substitutes alone. The survival rate for implants having smooth and rough surfaces was 85.64% and 95.98%, respectively. Simultaneous and delayed procedures displayed similar survival rates of 92.17% and 92.93%, respectively. When implants are placed in grafted maxillary sinuses, the performance of rough implants is superior to that of smooth implants. Bone-substitute materials are as effective as autogenous bone when used alone or in combination with autogenous bone. Studies using a split-mouth design with one variable are needed to further validate the findings.     

Immediate loading with fixed full-arch prostheses in the maxilla: Review of the literature

Objectives: To critically review the evidence-based literature on immediate loading of implants with fixed full-arch prostheses in the maxilla to determine 1) currently recommended performance criteria and 2) the outcomes that can be expected with this procedure. Study Desing: Studies from 2001 to 2011 on immediate loading with fixed full-arch maxillary prostheses were reviewed. Clinical series with at least 5 patients and 12 months of follow-up were included. Case reports, studies with missing data and repeatedly published studies were excluded. In each study the following was assessed: type of study, implant type, number of patients, number of implants, number of implants per patient, use of post-extraction implants, minimum implant length and diameter, type of prosthesis, time until loading, implant survival rate, prosthesis survival rate, marginal bone loss, complications andmean follow-up time. Criteria for patient selection, implant primary stability and bone regeneration were also studied. Results: Thirteen studies were included, reporting a total of 2484 immediately loaded implants in 365 patients. Currently accepted performance criteria regarding patient and implant selection, and surgical and prosthetic procedures were deduced from the reviewed articles. Implant survival rates went from 87.5% to 100%, prosthesis survival rates from 93.8% to 100% and radiographic marginal bone loss from 0.8 mm to 1.6 mm.No intraoperative complications and only minor prosthetic complications were reported. Conclusions: The literature on immediate loading with fixed full-arch prostheses in the maxilla shows that a successful outcome can be expected if adequate criteria are used to evaluate the patient, choose the implant and perform the surgical and prosthetic treatment. Lack of homogeneity within studies limits the relevance of the conclusions that can be drawn, and more controlled randomized studies are necessary to enable comparison between the immediate and the conventional loading procedures. Key words:Immediate loading, full-arch, dental implants, loading protocols.     

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.     

无牙颌患者种植即刻修复临床观察

目的:通过对上、下颌无牙颌患者即刻修复效果1年的回顾性研究,分析其成功率及相关影响因素。方法:从2009年7月至2010年9月,胡忠医院种植修复科行无牙颌即刻修复病例共18例118枚,8例60枚植入上颌无牙颌,10例58枚植入下颌无牙颌,术后丙烯酸树脂临时义齿即刻修复。3~6月后永久固定修复。结果:18例118枚种植体中,101枚即刻修复,12~26个月后种植体累积存留率100%,修复体成功率100%。结论:无牙颌即刻修复具有较好的短期临床效果     

Tilted Implants for the Rehabilitation of Edentulous Jaws: A Systematic Review

Purpose: The aim of this review was to evaluate the survival rate of upright and tilted implants supporting fixed prosthetic reconstructions for the immediate rehabilitation of partially and fully edentulous jaws, after at least 1 year of function. Materials and Methods: An electronic search of databases plus a hand search on the most relevant journals up to December 2009 was performed. The articles were selected using specific inclusion criteria, independent of the study design. Results: The literature search yielded 347 articles. A first screening based on the title and abstract identified 25 eligible studies. After full‐text review of these studies, 10 articles were selected for analysis. Seven were prospective single‐cohort studies and three had a retrospective design. A total of 462 patients have been rehabilitated with 470 immediately loaded prostheses (257 in the maxilla, 213 in the mandible), supported by a total of 1,992 implants (1,026 upright and 966 tilted). Twenty‐five implants (1.25%) failed in 20 patients within the first year. All failures except one occurred in the maxilla. No significant difference in failure rate was found between tilted and upright implants, nor between maxillary and mandibular implants. No prosthesis failure was reported. Limited peri‐implant bone loss was reported with no difference between upright and tilted implants. Full patients' satisfaction for function, phonetics, and esthetics was reported in three studies, based on questionnaires. Conclusions: The use of tilted implants to support immediately loaded fixed prostheses for the rehabilitation of edentulous jaws can be considered a predictable technique, with an excellent prognosis in the short‐medium term. However, randomized long‐term trials are needed to determine the efficacy of this surgical approach.     

上颌窦侧壁抬升植骨种植的临床研究

目的:探讨应用上颌窦侧壁抬升植骨方法进行种植的优缺点和近远期效果。方法:2000年1月至2006年12月对28例患者行上颌窦侧壁抬升植骨种植。上颌窦底提升高度6.9mm-14.7mm,平均11.2mm。采用人工骨Bio-Oss或自体血提取的富血小板血浆(platelet-richplasma,PRP)与人工骨Bio-Oss混合填入上颌窦,用可吸收性胶原膜Bio-Gide覆盖。共抬升32侧,植入种植体57枚,均采用固定修复。种植后追踪时间9-62个月,平均28个月。观察方法为临床检查和X线检查,采用Wheeler存留标准评估,纳入Kaplan-Meier存留曲线统计。结果:在随访过程中,一颗植体在植入7个月后松动最终取出,其余植体稳定性良好,使用正常,患者满意,据Wheeler存留标准统计存留率为98.2%。结论:当上颌后牙区牙齿缺失且余留骨量不足时,通过上颌窦侧壁开窗抬升植骨可以有效增加骨高度,满足种植的骨条件,近远期效果理想。     

Survival of implants placed with the osteotome technique: An update

A literature review is made to analyze the survival of implants placed with the osteotome technique. A PubMed search was made based on the key words "osteotome AND dental implants", corresponding to publications between 1998-2008. The inclusion criteria were: a) a minimum of 10 patients; b) a minimum follow-up of 6 months; c) implants placed using the osteotome technique with or without indirect sinus lift; and d) specification of the implant number and survival rate. Sixty-four articles were identified, of which 20 met the inclusion criteria. A total of 2006 implants were placed in 1312 patients using the osteotome technique. The duration of follow-up after prosthetic loading ranged from 6-144 months. Indirect sinus lift was carried out in all but one of the studies. The residual crest height ranged from 2.8-12 mm, with a mean gain in bone after sinus lift of 2.5-5.1 mm. The time from implant placement to prosthetic loading varied from 1.5-9 months. The percentage implant survival rate was 85.1-100%. The survival rate of implants placed with the osteotome technique is high and does not differ with respect to implant placement with the conventional technique.     

Dental implants as strategic supplementary abutments for implant-tooth-supported telescopic crown-retained maxillary dentures: a retrospective follow-up study for up to 9 years

PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to present the results of implants and natural teeth used as combined abutments to support maxillary telescopic prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1997 and 2004, 22 patients with residual maxillary teeth underwent prosthodontic rehabilitation with supplementary implant placement of implant-tooth-supported telescopic prostheses. A total of 60 supplementary implants (mean: 2.9 implants; SD: 1.6; range: 1 to 5 per patient) were placed in strategic position and connected with 48 natural abutment teeth (mean: 2.2 teeth; SD: 0.9; range: 1 to 4 per patient) using telescopic crowns. The follow-up registration included implant and natural tooth survival rates and peri-implant and periodontal parameters, along with prosthodontic maintenance. Natural tooth abutments were additionally followed to compare their periodontal parameters at baseline to the follow-up examination. RESULTS: After a mean of 38 months (12 to 108 months) no implants or natural tooth abutments were lost (survival rate: 100%). There was no fracture, endodontic treatment, loss, or intrusion of natural teeth used for telescopic abutments. Implant abutments showed high stability and excellent periimplant soft tissue conditions. Natural tooth abutments used for double crowns also showed uneventful progress. A low rate of prosthodontic maintenance was seen, with implant screw abutment loosening as the most severe complication (3 of 60 implants; 5%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this retrospective clinical review, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) successful function over a prolonged period and a minor complication rate of implant-tooth-supported telescopic maxillary dentures may be anticipated, and (2) the great variety of treatment modalities offered by tooth-implant support for telescopic prostheses appears to be useful as a treatment option for the maxilla in elderly patients.     

A systematic review of the success of sinus floor elevation and survival of implants inserted in combination with sinus floor elevation

Objectives: The objectives of this systematic review were to assess the survival rate of grafts and implants placed with sinus floor elevation.
Material and Methods: An electronic search was conducted to identify studies on sinus floor elevation, with a mean follow-up time of at least 1 year after functional loading.
Results: The search provided 839 titles. Full-text analysis was performed for 175 articles resulting in 48 studies that met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 12,020 implants. Meta-analysis indicated an estimated annual failure rate of 3.48% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.48%–4.88%] translating into a 3-year implant survival of 90.1% (95% CI: 86.4%–92.8%). However, when failure rates was analyzed on the subject level, the estimated annual failure was 6.04% (95% CI: 3.87%–9.43%) translating into 16.6% (95% CI: 10.9%–24.6%) of the subjects experiencing implant loss over 3 years.
Conclusion: The insertion of dental implants in combination with maxillary sinus floor elevation is a predictable treatment method showing high implant survival rates and low incidences of surgical complications.
The best results (98.3% implant survival after 3 years) were obtained using rough surface implants with membrane coverage of the lateral window.     

Immediate functional loading of Brånemark system implants in edentulous mandibles: clinical report of the results of developmental and simplified protocols

PURPOSE: This report evaluates the 5-year results of 9 of 10 patients in a clinical investigation of immediate functional loading of Br?nemark System implants in edentulous mandibles, and of 24 patients treated with a simplified protocol for the same indication. The purpose of the paper is to suggest a simple, reliable, and documented method for immediate implant loading of complete-arch mandibular prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy patients in need of full-arch mandibular implant reconstruction (development group) were treated between December 1993 and December 1994 with 130 Br?nemark System standard Implants, placed in fresh extraction and healed sites. Four implants per patient were immediately loaded with acrylic resin fixed prostheses. The prostheses were replaced by metal-framework conversion prostheses approximately 6 weeks later, and definitive metal-reinforced prostheses incorporating all implants were placed after second-stage surgery. An additional 24 patients were treated with a simplified protocol using a total of 144 implants placed between March 1997 and October 2000. In these patients, the acrylic resin prostheses were not disturbed for 3 months, and fewer implants were used with an increasing ratio of implants loaded. Eventually, all Implants were loaded immediately for the last patients treated. RESULTS: The prosthesis survival rate was 100% for the total material. In the developmental group, the implant cumulative survival rate was 80% for the immediately loaded implants after 5 years, while the 2-stage implants reached 96%. Bone level measurements showed no differences between immediate and 2-stage protocols for this group. The implant cumulative survival rate was 97% for the simplified treatment group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A predictable and simple concept for loading of immediate implant prostheses in edentulous mandibles was demonstrated. Results from the development of this technique suggest that it may be essential to maintain the initial implant splinting over a healing period of about 3 months and that implant placement between the mental foramina provides optimal support.     

Multicenter retrospective study of cement-retained implant-supported anterior partial prostheses: success and restoration evaluation

PURPOSE: The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate implant success and restorative complications of cement-retained implant-supported anterior partial prostheses in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all implants with a minimum of 1-year follow-up were used to support fixed, cement-retained restorations from April 2000 until March 2007. The cement-retained implants were loaded with either single- or multiple-tooth replacements. The Fisher exact test was performed to test the presence of any statistically significant difference in success concerning gender or arch of placement. RESULTS: Eighty-seven implants were placed in the anterior region of the mandible or maxilla in 49 patients at multiple clinical practices in Jordan. The age of the patients ranged from 17 to 85 years. Eighteen implants were placed in the mandible and 69 in the maxilla. Three maxillary implants in 2 male patients had 3-mm horizontal bone loss. Those 3 implants are still functioning and were considered surviving implants but not successful implants. Therefore, the implant cumulative survival rate for both arches and genders was 100%. The implant cumulative success rate was 95.78%. Three crowns (maxillary) were dislodged. No significant differences were revealed regarding gender or arch of placement (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Cement-retained implants exhibited high survival and success rates among a Jordanian population.     

Sinus floor elevation using osteotomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Various techniques of sinus floor elevation (SFE) are described. The elevation with osteotomes (OSFE) from a crestal approach is a relatively new technique. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical outcome of implants placed into the maxillary sinus augmented with an OSFE technique. METHODS: A systematic online and manual review of the literature identified articles dealing with OSFE. Applying rigid inclusion criteria, screening and data abstraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The follow-up of loaded implants was a minimum of 6 months. The identified articles were analyzed regarding implant outcome and defined surgical aspects. Survival and success rates were estimated by Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Eight out of 44 articles dealing with osteotome sinus floor elevation met the inclusion criteria. Five of the studies met established success criteria. The survival and success rates were 95.7% and 96.0% after 24 months and 36 months, respectively. The median and mean follow-up periods were 24 and 18.73 months for the survival rate and 24 and 19.7 months for the success rate. Regarding different surgical elements, i.e., osteotome techniques, implant types, and augmentation materials, the database was multivariate. Thus, no statistical analysis could be performed on these parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term clinical success/survival (相似文献   

Implants in the zygomatic bone for maxillary prosthetic rehabilitation: a systematic review

The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate clinical studies on the follow-up survival of implants inserted in the zygomatic bone for maxillary rehabilitation. A comprehensive search of studies published from 2000 to July 2012 and listed in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Relevant studies were selected according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The initial database search yielded 751 titles. After filtering, 313 abstracts were selected, culminating in 42 full text articles. Application of eligibility criteria led to the elimination of 17 articles. Hence 25 full-text articles were considered clinically relevant and were included. Calculations of the interval survival rates and cumulative survival rates of implants could be carried out on the data extracted from the final list of included studies for the different time intervals. These studies reported the insertion of a total of 1541 zygomatic implants and 33 implant failures. Failure generally occurred during the first year interval and was related to clinical complications, such as recurrent acute and chronic sinusitis. After a 36-month follow-up, the survival rate was 97.86%. Additional studies with longer follow-up periods, including the number of zygomatic implants inserted and details of the variations in the surgical techniques used and the impact of the maxillary morphology are still required.     

Individual Lithium Disilicate Crowns in a Full‐Arch,Implant‐Supported Rehabilitation: A Clinical Report

This clinical report presents the clinical outcome of a maxillary full‐arch implant‐supported fixed rehabilitation with lithium disilicate reinforced glass ceramic monolithic crowns opposing a mandibular metal‐acrylic implant‐supported fixed rehabilitation in a 62‐year‐old woman. Eight implants were successfully placed (four maxillary, four mandibular), and no complications occurred in the postoperative or maintenance periods. Six months after delivery, the maxillary and mandibular prostheses were found to be clinically, biologically, and mechanically stable, and the patient was satisfied with the esthetics and her ability to function. Although the present indications for the use of lithium disilicate are still restricted to tooth‐borne restorations, it is possible to successfully rehabilitate edentulous patients through implant‐supported fixed prostheses using lithium disilicate reinforced glass ceramic monolithic crowns.     

Immediately restored single implants in the aesthetic zone of the maxilla using a novel design: 1-year report

Objectives: To evaluate immediate placement and immediate restoration of a novel implant with a 12°‐angled prosthodontic platform, in fresh extraction sockets of the aesthetic zone of the maxilla. Materials and methods: Tapered, roughened surface implants of 4 mm (n=15) or 5 mm (n=13) diameter were placed in 27 participants (mean age: 47.1 years; range: 21–71 years) requiring an immediate replacement of single anterior maxillary teeth. Provisional screw‐retained all‐ceramic crowns were placed within 4 h following optical impressions. At 8 weeks (baseline), definitive screw‐retained all‐ceramic crowns were placed in occlusion. Results: Twenty‐six of the 28 implants met the inclusion criteria at surgery. Marginal bone levels revealed bone gain between surgery and baseline, and between baseline and 1 year of 0.2 mm (SD 0.75) and 0.78 mm (SD 2.45). Mean mid‐buccal mucosal margins showed gains of 0.2 mm (SD 0.44). Prosthodontic maintenance and the aesthetics of the screw‐retained implant crowns were facilitated by the external hex 12°‐angled prosthodontic platform on the novel implant design, re‐orientating the access cavity to the palatal or occlusal surfaces. All‐ceramic implant crowns showed a high success rate with low maintenance issues over 1 year. Conclusion: Tapered, roughened‐surfaced implants with a novel 12°‐angled prosthodontic platform immediately placed in fresh extraction sockets, immediately restored with provisional crowns and subsequent definitive crowns at 8 weeks were successful for 1 year. To cite this article:
Brown SDK, Payne AGT. Immediately restored single implants in the aesthetic zone of the maxilla using a novel design: 1‐year report.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 445–454.     

Implant survival rates after maxillary sinus augmentation

Implant therapy in the atrophic posterior maxilla becomes challenging in the presence of reduced maxillary bone height. Sinus augmentation can be performed for resolving this condition prior to implant placement. The aim of this article was therefore to evaluate implant survival rates in the grafted sinus taking into account the influence of the implant surface, graft material, and implant placement timing. A systematic review of the literature was performed. Articles retrieved from electronic databases were screened using specific inclusion criteria, and data extracted were divided according to: graft material (autogenous, non‐autogenous, composite graft), implant surface (machined or textured), and implant placement (simultaneous with grafting or delayed). Fifty‐nine articles were included. Survival rates for implants placed in grafts made of bone substitutes alone and grafts of composite material were slightly better than the survival rates for implants placed in 100% autogenous grafts. Over 90% of implants associated with non‐autogenous grafts had a textured surface. Textured surfaces achieved better outcomes compared with machined surfaces, and this was independent of the graft material. Simultaneous and delayed procedures had similar outcomes. It may be concluded that bone substitutes can be successfully used for sinus augmentation, reducing donor‐site morbidity. Long‐term studies are needed to confirm the performance of non‐autogenous grafts. The use of implants with a textured surface may improve the outcome in any graft type.     

Three-year data from a randomizd, controlled study of early loading of single-stage dental implants supporting maxillary full-arch prostheses

PURPOSE: The aim of this 3-year randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to compare biologic and technical treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction after early (< or = 14 days postimplantation) loaded implants with those of implants loaded after a healing period of 3 to 4 months in the edentulous maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with completely edentulous maxillae were randomized into a test group (n = 16) and a control group (n = 8). All patients received 5 or 6 solid screw-type titanium implants with sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surfaces. In total, 142 implants were placed and 139 implants were loaded with full-arch prostheses. Clinical assessments were obtained at loading and after 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Radiographs of implants and existing teeth were taken at loading; after 6, 12, 24, and 36 months; and at 12, 24, and 36 months, respectively. RESULTS: The cumulative implant success rate 3 years after loading was 100%. At the 3-year examination the mean (P < or = .005), distal (P < or = .005), and mesial (P > .05) crestal bone levels were better in the test group. No significant differences between the test and control groups were noted for any other outcome measure. The most common adverse event in both groups was tooth-crown fracture. DISCUSSION: A review of the literature, both printed and electronic, revealed no study fulfilling the criteria of an RCT dealing with the early loading of maxillary full-arch prostheses. This study fulfills those criteria. CONCLUSION: In this study population it has been concluded that the early (approximately 2 weeks) loading protocol is a viable alternative to the standard (3 to 4 months) protocol in the rehabilitation of a completely edentulous maxilla with a complete implant-supported fixed prosthesis.     

A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4 implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up

BackgroundImmediate-function implants have become an accepted alternative for fixed restoration protocols in edentulous mandibles on the basis of documented high success rates. The All-on-4 concept (Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden), a surgical and prosthetic protocol for immediate function involving the use of four implants to support a fixed prosthesis in patients with completely edentulous mandibles, represents one of these protocols. The authors conducted a study to document long-term follow-up of the All-on-4 concept.MethodsThis longitudinal study included 245 patients with a total of 980 immediate-function implants (four per patient), all placed in the anterior region, to support fixed full-arch mandibular prostheses. The inclusion criterion was having an edentulous mandible, or a mandible with hopeless teeth, in need of fixed implant restorations.ResultsA total of 21 implants failed in 13 patients, giving cumulative patient-related and implant-related success rates of 94.8 percent and 98.1 percent, respectively, at five years, and 93.8 percent and 94.8 percent, respectively, with up to 10 years of follow-up. The prostheses’ survival rate was 99.2 percent with up to 10 years of follow up.ConclusionsThe results support the conclusion that use of the All-on-4 immediate-function implant concept in completely edentulous mandibles is viable in the long term.Clinical ImplicationsHigh prosthesis survival rates can be achieved by the use of four implants to support a full-arch fixed prosthesis in the mandible.     

A long-term follow-up study of non-submerged ITI implants in the treatment of totally edentulous jaws. Part I: Ten-year life table analysis of a prospective multicenter study with 1286 implants

In this prospective multicenter study, non-submerged ITI implants were followed in order to evaluate their long-term prognosis in fully edentulous jaws. A total of 1286 implants were inserted in 233 consecutive patients and, after a healing period of three to six months, the successfully integrated implants were restored with 163 overdentures and 95 fixed full-arch bridges. This prospective study not only calculated the 10-year cumulative survival and success rates for the 1286 implants by life table analysis, but also evaluated the actual survival and success rates for 498 implants after at least five years of functional loading. In addition, cumulative success rates were calculated for implant subgroups according to implant length and location. Additional analyses were performed to evaluate the estimated and actual survival and success rates of the implants in relation to various prosthetic rehabilitation techniques. The 10-year cumulative survival and success rates were 95.9% and 92.7%, respectively. The actual 5-year survival and success rates of the first 498 implants that were inserted were 97.7% and 95.0%, respectively. The analysis of implant subgroups showed slightly more favourable cumulative success rates for 12 mm long implants (93%), in comparison to 10 mm and 8 mm long implants (91.6% and 89.6%, respectively). The cumulative success rate for mandibular implants (approximately 94%) was also more favourable than that for maxillary implants (approximately 91%). Patients who were loaded with both maxillary and mandibular prostheses maintained success rates well above 90%; while only implants that were inserted to support maxillary overdentures that were retained by Dolder bars showed a success rate below 90%.     

Prospective clinical evaluation of 1920 Morse taper connection implants: results after 4 years of functional loading

Purpose: This study evaluated the survival rate and the clinical, radiographic and prosthetic success of 1920 Morse taper connection implants.
Material and methods: One thousand nine hundred and twenty Morse taper connection implants were inserted in 689 consecutive patients, from January 2003 until December 2006. Implants were clinically and radiographically evaluated at 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after insertion (mean follow-up per implant: 25.42 months). Modified plaque index (mPI), modified sulcus bleeding index, probing depth (PD) and the distance between implant shoulder and first crestal bone–implant contact (DIB) were measured in mm. Success criteria included the absence of suppuration and clinically detectable implant mobility, PD<5 mm, DIB<1.5 mm after 12 months of functional loading and not exceeding 0.2 mm for each following year, the absence of recurrent prosthetic complications at the implant–abutment interface. Prosthetic restorations were fixed partial prostheses (364 units), single crowns (SCs: 307 units), fixed full-arch prostheses (53 units) and overdentures (67 units).
Results: The overall cumulative implant survival rate was 97.56% (96.12% in the maxilla and 98.91% in the mandible). The cumulative implant success rate was 96.61% (95.25% in the maxilla and 98.64% in the mandible). Only a few prosthetic complications were reported (0.65% of loosening at implant–abutment interface in SCs).
Conclusion: The use of Morse taper connection implants represents a successful procedure for the rehabilitation of partially and completely edentulous arches. The absence of an implant–abutment interface (microgap) is associated with minimal crestal bone loss. The high mechanical stability significantly reduces prosthetic complications.