A retrospective analysis of sandblasted, acid-etched implants with reduced healing times with an observation period of up to 5 years

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of 2 different implant systems with sandblasted and acid-etched modified surfaces loaded after reduced healing periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred seventeen patients with a mean observation period of 3.75 years (24 to 61 months) were included in this evaluation. Chart reviews of a standardized recall program were evaluated. All 532 placed implants showed an unloaded healing time of 6 weeks in the mandible and 12 weeks in the maxilla. At abutment placement a torque value of 35 Ncm was one of the primary variables, and the success of the implants over time was determined by the criteria of Buser et al. The survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method, and the probability of an event within 1 group independent of time was evaluated using the chi-square test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Of the 532 implants, 235 were placed in female and 297 in male patients; 448 implants were located in the maxilla and 84 in the mandible. Three implants were lost prior to abutment connection in 3 patients. Life table analyses show an overall success rate of 99.4% at 5 years, as no implants were lost after abutment connection. There was no significant association of the implant type (P = .185), gender (P = .99), or jaw (maxilla/mandible; P = .06) and the survival of the implants within this study. CONCLUSION: Based on the data found in this investigation, it can be concluded that implants with sandblasted, acid-etched surfaces can be restored after a 6- to 12-week healing period with a high predictability of success.