Immediate Fixed Rehabilitation of the Edentulous Maxilla: A Prospective Clinical and Radiological Study after 3 Years of Loading. (9th August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Agliardi, Enrico L.; Pozzi, Alessandro; Stappert, Christian F. J.; Benzi, Riccardo; Romeo, Davide; Gherlone, Enrico
• Is Part Of: Clinical implant dentistry and related research. Volume 16:Number 2(2014:May)
• Page Start: 292
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2012-08-09
• Subjects: Dental implants -- Periodicals; Dental Implantation -- Periodicals; Dental Implants -- Periodicals; 617.693
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8208.2012.00482.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1523-0899

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="cid482-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Purpose</title> <p>The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of immediate full‐arch fixed maxillary prosthesis supported by two axial and four tilted implants after 3 years of loading.</p> </sec> <sec id="cid482-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Materials and Methods</title> <p>Thirty‐two patients with atrophic maxilla were consecutively enrolled and treated. Each patient received a fixed full‐arch maxillary rehabilitation supported by four tilted implants that engaged the posterior and the anterior sinus walls and two axial anterior implants. A total of 192 implants (30 Brånemark System MK IV and 162 NobelSpeedy Groovy, Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) were inserted and immediately loaded. The definitive restorations were placed 6 months later, and follow‐up visits were scheduled every 6 months. During follow‐ups, marginal bone loss (MBL), plaque and bleeding scores, and patient's satisfaction were recorded.</p> </sec> <sec id="cid482-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>All patients reached at least 3‐year follow‐up examination (range 36–78, average 55.53 months). Two tilted implants failed before delivering the definitive restoration, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 98.96%. All final prostheses were stable and functional, resulting in a cumulative survival and success rate of 100%. At the 3‐year follow‐up there was no significant difference in MBL between axial (1.55 ± 0.31 mm) and tilted implants (1.46 ± 0.19 mm) (<italic>p</italic> = .05). Plaque and bleeding scores decreased over time, while patient's satisfaction in both aesthetics and function increased.</p> </sec> <sec id="cid482-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Implants placement with this configuration could be considered a predictable and cost‐ and time‐effective alternative approach for the immediate restoration of the edentulous maxilla, avoiding bone grafting procedures, even with a medium‐term follow‐up.</p> </sec> </abstract>