Clinical evaluation of single-tooth mini-implant restorations: a five-year retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Placement of small diameter implants often provides a solution to space problems in implant restoration. Analysis of the success of this type of implant restoration has not been clearly determined.


OBJECTIVE
This 5-year retrospective study presents results from 52 mini-implants for single-tooth restorations placed in 44 patients from 1992 to 1994.


METHODS
Dental records of 44 patients with 52 mini-implants placed during 1992-94 were reviewed. The implants were all placed by the same surgeon and the single-tooth custom screwed posts with cemented crowns were positioned on the implants by the same prosthodontist.


RESULTS
The results achieved by the mini-implant rehabilitation were similar to those reported for standard single-tooth implant restoration. Total implant survival rate was 94.2%. Two implants were lost at second stage surgery, and another was lost after temporary loading.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that single-tooth mini-implant restoration can be a successful treatment alternative to solve both functional and esthetic problems. They may represent the preferred choice in cases where space problems limit the use of standard or wide diameter implants.
Vigolo
P
P
Vicenza, Italy. paolo.vigolo@ntt.it
Givani
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003442:Crowns; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome