Long-term follow-up of severely atrophic edentulous mandibles reconstructed with short Brånemark implants.
BACKGROUND
Oral implant treatment (Brånemark System) of edentulous mandibles has been presented in numerous studies. However, with regard to the severely atrophic lower jaw, no long-term follow-up studies with solely short implants are available.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present investigation was to retrospectively follow the long-term treatment outcome of patients with severely resorbed edentulous mandibles being subjected to oral implant placement with short (6-7 mm) Brånemark implants.


METHODS
A total of 247 standard (7 mm long, Ø 3.75 mm) and 13 wide (6 mm long, Ø 5 mm) implants were inserted in 49 patients, all of whom exhibited severe resorption of edentate mandibles. Fixed implant-supported prostheses were manufactured for 45 patients, whereas 4 patients received overdentures. The patients were followed for a mean period of 8 years (range, 1-14 yr).


RESULTS
Seventeen implants failed during the study period (cumulative implant survival rate 95.5% at 5-yr and 92.3% at 10-yr follow-up). Implant-supported constructions were worn continuously throughout the investigation by all study subjects. Marginal bone loss, measured after 1, 5, and 10 years of function, concurred with studies of Brånemark implants placed in more voluminous mandibles. No major clinical or construction complications occurred in the followed patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of the present study showed that placement of short Brånemark implants without the use of bone grafting procedures for reconstruction of severely atrophic edentulous mandibles is a highly predictable treatment procedure.
Friberg
B
B
Brånemark Clinic, Public Dental Health Service, and Faculty of Odontology, Göteborg University, Sweden.
Gröndahl
K
K
Lekholm
U
U
Brånemark
P I
PI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants