A comparison of laser-welded titanium and conventional cast frameworks supported by implants in the partially edentulous jaw: a 3-year prospective multicenter study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of laser-welded titanium fixed partial implant-supported prostheses with conventional cast frameworks.


METHODS
Forty-two partially edentulous patients were provided with Brånemark system implants and arranged into 2 groups. Group A was provided with a conventional cast framework with porcelain veneers in one side of the jaw and a laser-welded titanium framework with low-fusing porcelain on the other side. The patients in group B had an old implant prosthesis replaced by a titanium framework prosthesis. The patients were followed for 3 years after prosthesis placement. Clinical and radiographic data were collected and analyzed.


RESULTS
Only one implant was lost, and all prostheses were still in function after 3 years. The 2 framework designs showed similar clinical performance with few clinical complications. Only one abutment screw (1%) and 9 porcelain tooth units (5%) fractured. Four prostheses experienced loose gold screws (6%). In group A, marginal bone loss was similar for both designs of prostheses, with a mean of 1.0 mm and 0.3 mm in the maxilla and mandible, respectively. No bone loss was observed on average in group B. No significant relationship (P > 0.05) was observed between marginal bone loss and placement of prosthesis margin or prosthesis design.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of laser-welded titanium frameworks seems to present similar clinical performance to conventional cast frameworks in partial implant situations after 3 years.
Jemt
T
T
Prosthetic Division, Brånemark Clinic, Public Dental Health, Göteborg, Sweden. torsten.jemt@odontologi.gu.se
Henry
P
P
Lindén
B
B
Naert
I
I
Weber
H
H
Bergström
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000175:diagnosis; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D012994:Dental Soldering / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation; D007834:Lasers; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014025:Titanium; D014896:Welding
D014025:Titanium