Clinical report with up to 4 years of follow-up on a cervically modified stepped screw-type implant

PURPOSE: In 1998, a modification of the macrostructure of the Frialit-2 implant in the cervical region was introduced to stabilize peri-implant bone. Limited data are available on the clinical effect of this modification. Therefore, the soft-tissue situation, marginal bone loss, and implant failure rate were analyzed after 4 years of clinical experience with the modified Frialit-2 Synchro implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1998 to 2001, 190 cervically modified implants were placed and documented prospectively in 58 patients. Of these implants, 147 were placed in original jaw bone, 22 in areas augmented with local osteoplasty, and 21 in iliac crest bone graft. The main indications for implantation were an atrophic edentulous alveolar crest (n = 99) and support for a partial denture (n = 39), followed by restoration of a shortened dental arch (n = 28) and single tooth replacement (n = 24). In a special clinical examination, 39 patients with 134 implants were investigated. RESULTS: The average in situ time of the 134 implants was 23.1 months. Failing osseointegration (n = 10), peri-implantitis (n = 1), and tumor resection (n = 3) in 8 patients resulted in the failure of 14 of 190 implants (7.4%). One patient with 4 implants died (2.1%). Currently, 3 patients with a total of 6 implants have been lost to follow-up (3.1%), and 166 implants remain in situ (87.4% of 190). DISCUSSION: Using different implant success criteria, success rates of 88.8% and 82.8% were calculated. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, the Frialit-2 Synchro implant appears to be a useful implant system for the indications analyzed.