Three-year Evaluation of Single-tooth Implants Restored 3 Weeks after One-stage Surgery

Three-year Evaluation of Single-tooth Implants Restored 3 Weeks after One-stage Surgery
L.F. COOPER1, D.A. FELTON1, S. ELLNER2, A. MOLINA1, J.D. MORIARTY1, D.W. PAQUETTE1, and C. H?ÒSTNER3, 1 University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA, 2 Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden, 3 Astra Tech AB, M??lndal, Sweden
2003
IADR
Objective:The possibility to expedite dental implant therapy by early or immediate loading protocols requires long-term clinical investigation. The aim of this prospective cohort trial was to determine the 3-year implant success rate and prosthesis complications associated with functional loading three-weeks after one-stage placement of single tooth implants (AstraTech ST) replacing maxillary anterior teeth. Methods: Implant, abutment and prosthesis stability; peri-implant mucosa and peri-implant bone levels were measured clinically and radiographically at 6, 12 and 36 months. Of the 48 patients treated and followed for 12 months, 39 patients and 43 implants were available for recall at the 3-year period. Results:There were no additional failures reported since the 12 month reporting period (2 of 53 implants = 96.2% success) and there were no abutment or peri-implant mucosa complications. Marginal bone levels were not significantly changed from 3 weeks (x=0.47 mm; (SD=0.44)) to 3 years after implant placement (x=0.42mm (SD=0.59)). The papilla index revealed significant and sustained interproximal tissue growth (x = 0.74mm (SD=0.79)) at 3 years. There were no adverse events and complications were limited to debonding of crowns or fractured porcelain. Conclusion: Early loading of single tooth implants placed in healed maxillary alveolar ridges may provide success in terms of fixture survival, prosthesis stability and peri-implant mucosal health.