Immediate placement and provisionalization of maxillary anterior single implants: 1-year prospective study

PURPOSE: This 1-year prospective study evaluated the implant success rate, peri-implant tissue response, and esthetic outcome of immediately placed and provisionalized maxillary anterior single implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients (8 men, 27 women) with a mean age of 36.5 years (range 18 to 65) were included in this study. Thirty-five threaded, hydroxyapatite-coated implants were placed and provisionalized immediately after each failing tooth had been removed. The definitive restoration was placed 6 months later. The patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at implant placement and at 3, 6, and 12 months after implant placement. RESULTS: At 12 months, all implants remained osseointegrated. The mean marginal bone change from the time of implant placement to 12 months was -0.26 +/- 0.40 mm mesially and -0.22 +/- 0.28 mm distally. No significant differences in the Plaque Index scores were noted at different time intervals. The mean midfacial gingival level and mesial and distal papilla level changes from pretreatment to 12 months were -0.55 +/- 0.53 mm, -0.53 +/- 0.39 mm, and -0.39 +/- 0.40 mm, respectively. All patients were very satisfied with the esthetic outcome and none had noticed any changes at the gingival level. DISCUSSION: Although marginal bone and gingival level changes were statistically significant from pretreatment to 12 months of follow-up, they were well within clinical expectations. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that favorable implant success rates, peri-implant tissue responses, and esthetic outcomes can be achieved with immediately placed and provisionalized maxillary anterior single implants.