title: A clinical report on the 18-month cumulative survival rates of implants and implant prostheses with an internal connection implant system.
abstract: Titanium implants have been successful in both dentulous and edentulous patients. The original Brånemark titanium implants were introduced with external hex connections between implants and abutments. Successes and failures/complications with both the biology and mechanics of this connection system have been reported. In an attempt to improve the predictability and success of implant/abutment connections, internal connections between implants and abutments were developed significantly differently from external implant/abutment connections in terms of size, surface area, and geometry. Forty-five consecutive partially edentulous patients were treated with 83 implants (Osseotite Certaina). The implants were allowed to heal for at least 8 weeks without occlusal loading. All were restored with single, nonsplinted restorations. The implants were loaded with fully functional occlusions for at least 1 year. Recall appointments were scheduled at 1, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months after implant placement. Eighty-two of the 83 implants were clinically stable and considered to be osseointegrated 18 months after occlusal loading for a cumulative survival rate (CSR) (implants) of 100%. All of the abutment screws and restorations were non-mobile 18 months after occlusal loading for a CSR (prostheses) of 100%. This internal implant/abutment connection was clinically successful and should benefit restorative dentists involved in implant dentistry by decreasing the number of maintenance visits and problems associated with dental implant treatment.
authors.affiliation: Implant Innovations, Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410, USA.
authors.forename: Carl J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.forename: C Garry
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: O'Connor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000497:Alloys; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001732:Bite Force; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D013499:Surface Properties; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; C031462:titanium alloy (TiAl6V4); D014025:Titanium