Computer-guided flapless placement and immediate loading of four conical screw-type implants in the edentulous mandible.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the outcome of computer-guided flapless placement and immediate loading of four conical screw-type implants in the interforaminal region.


METHODS
From May to August 2003, 25 consecutive patients (m : f=16 : 9) with edentulous mandibles were included in the study. After transmucosal drilling with computer-assisted navigation, four implants were placed in the interforaminal region. The lower dentures were converted and implants immediately loaded.


RESULTS
One-hundred implants were successfully placed. In two patients, all implants had to be submerged because of insufficient primary stability of one of the implants; another patient declined to receive immediate loading of implants after surgery and was lost to follow-up. During follow-up of the remaining 22 patients with 88 immediately loaded implants, loosening of four implants (4.5%) was seen in three patients. In these cases, immediate loading was terminated and all implants submerged; subsequently, two implants were lost in one patient, while the other two implants re-osseointegrated. The cumulative survival and success rates of immediately loaded implants were 97.7% after 2 years. Prosthetic success was 100%.


CONCLUSIONS
Transmucosal computer-assisted placement and immediate loading of mandibular implants is a high-end approach to edentulism that provides excellent results while being minimally invasive.
Wittwer
Gert
G
University Hospital for Cranio- and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria. gert.wittwer@hirslanden.ch
Adeyemo
Wasiu Lanre
WL
Wagner
Arne
A
Enislidis
Georg
G
D000368:Aged; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003825:Denture, Complete, Immediate; D003826:Denture, Complete, Lower; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants