A retrospective multicenter evaluation of single tooth implant experience at three centers in the United Kingdom.
BACKGROUND
Implant treatment in the United Kingdom has been provided mainly in specialist, regional dental hospitals. However, increasingly, general dentists are providing implant-supported prostheses in a private office setting.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the nature, timing, and frequency of complications associated with single tooth implant therapy in a dental hospital and two dental offices.


METHODS
The dental records of 58 patients provided with 76 implants during the period of 1989-95 were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-three single tooth crowns on implants were placed by general dentists and 23 by specialists in the dental hospital.


RESULTS
Implant survival rate was 96%. Twenty-eight guided bone regeneration procedures were required, including 13 unplanned ones. Prosthodontic complications included the need for recontouring of three crowns and the recementation of three crowns. Only two abutment screws required retightening. Peri-implant soft tissue inflammation occurred around six crowns and recession around two.


CONCLUSIONS
The single tooth implant-supported crown appears to be an effective and durable restorative treatment with a relatively low prevalence of postoperative complications.
McMillan
A S
AS
Division of Prosthodontics, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Allen
P F
PF
Bin Ismail
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001861:Bone Regeneration; D002484:Cementation; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003770:Dental Offices; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003792:Dental Records; D003813:Dentistry; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000209:etiology; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom