Laser-welded titanium frameworks supported by implants in the edentulous maxilla: a 2-year prospective multicenter study

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic performance of patients who received implants and fixed prostheses with laser-welded titanium frameworks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients were treated with 349 osseointegrated implants ad modum Br?nemark in the edentulous maxilla at 6 implant centers. The patients were randomly arranged into 2 groups at the time of final impression. Twenty-eight patients received laser-welded titanium frameworks and 30 patients received conventional cast frameworks. Clinical and radiographic data were collected for 2 years in function. RESULTS: The 2 groups of patients showed similar results. The 2-year overall cumulative implant survival rate from the time of implant placement and prosthesis insertion was 93.7% and 96.2%, respectively. The corresponding cumulative survival rate for prostheses was 96.6%. Two patients, 1 from each group, failed completely and resumed using conventional complete dentures. The only obvious factor that could possibly be related to the 2 complete failures was a smoking habit. However, it was not possible to significantly correlate implant failures to smoking habits in this study. No fractures were observed in the frameworks or implant components, and both groups experienced the same frequency of resin veneering material fractures. The overall average marginal bone loss was 0.4 mm (SD 0.8 mm). CONCLUSION: Patients treated with implant-supported prostheses fabricated with laser-welded titanium frameworks in the edentulous maxilla presented comparable results to patients with conventional cast frameworks after 2 years in function.