Analysis of 164 titanium oxide-surface implants in completely edentulous arches for fixed prosthesis anchorage using the pterygomaxillary region.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the article was to evaluate the survival rates of TiUnite implants and then compare them to a previous similar study of machined-surface implants.


METHODS
This report presents the results of 82 consecutive patients treated since the introduction of Nobel Biocare's TiUnite surface. The patients were treated with complete-arch restorations using bilateral pterygomaxillary implants in edentulous maxillae. A total of 840 implants were placed in immediate extraction or healed sites, with a mean of 10 implants placed per patient.


RESULTS
In all, 826 of the 840 implants osseointegrated, for a cumulative survival rate (CSR) of 98.3%. One hundred fifty-eight of 164 pterygomaxillary implants successfully osseointegrated, yielding a 96.3% survival rate.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this complete-arch maxillary prospective study suggest that Brånemark System TiUnite implants are more predicable than implants with a machined surface. Compared to a similar 1999 study in which the survival rate for machined-surface implants was 92.1%, the present study had a significantly higher survival rate of 98.6% with the TiUnite surface (P < .001). In the pterygomaxillary region, there was an increase of 8% with the TiUnite surface as opposed to the machined surface (P < .001). In addition, 62% of the implants in the present study were immediately loaded, compared to 0% in the machined-surface implant study. The titanium oxide surface appears to assist the healing response of the bone-implant interface.
Balshi
Stephen F
SF
Prosthodontics Intermedica, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania 19034, USA. balshi2@aol.com
Wolfinger
Glenn J
GJ
Balshi
Thomas J
TJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003781:Denture Retention / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013499:Surface Properties; D016019:Survival Analysis
D015921:Dental Implants