Clinical and histologic findings for microimplants placed in one stage and loaded for three months: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Implants are placed in either one or two stages. There is an absence of histologic human evidence relating to implant integration after loading.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this case report was to present clinical and histologic findings for smooth-surfaced titanium turned microimplants placed in one stage and loaded after healing.


METHODS
Five one-piece microimplants were placed in a fully edentulous mandible. Three microimplants (tests) were placed in one stage and extended through the keratinized mucosa for 3 mm. Two additional microimplants (controls) were placed even with the mucosa. After 3 months of healing, three test implants were loaded for an additional 3 months. At this time, three loaded implants and one control were removed en bloc.


RESULTS
Histologic and histometric evaluations were made. For all specimens, there was excellent bone-to-implant contact. The loaded implants had from two to four exposed threads. Using marginal bone levels as the reference, the highest percentage of bone-to-implant contact was noted with the unloaded control implant (92.2%). One nonaxially loaded implant had 66.9% bone-to-implant contact, whereas the axially loaded implants (n = 2) had 77.8% bone-to-implant contact.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limits of this case report, smooth-surfaced, titanium threaded microimplants placed in one stage and loaded for 3 months demonstrated excellent osseointegration, with varying bone-to-implant contact. The amount of bone-to-implant contact may be related to axial implant loading.
Becker
William
W
Department of Periodontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. Branebill@AOL.com
Sennerby
Lars
L
Becker
Burton E
BE
Henry
Patrick
P
D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008852:Microradiography; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D014945:Wound Healing
D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium