title: The use of computer-guided flapless implant surgery and four implants placed in immediate function to support a fixed denture: preliminary results after a mean follow-up period of thirteen months.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a need for clinical evidence for the of use of computer tomography and CAD-CAM technology for surgical planning and fabrication of a custom surgical template in the rehabilitation of complete edentulous jaws with a prosthesis supported by 4 implants placed in immediate function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to report on the preliminary clinical outcomes of survival and bone loss for prosthodontic rehabilitation using computer-guided flapless implant surgery and 4 implants placed in immediate function to support a fixed denture.
  
  
  METHODS
  This clinical study included 23 consecutively treated patients (18 maxillae and 5 mandibles). Ninety-two implants were placed supporting fixed complete dentures followed between 6 and 21 months (mean of 13 months). Recall examinations included clinical evaluation of implant mobility, patient-reported discomfort, suppuration, and infection. The radiographic assessment included the determining of the marginal bone level at 6 and 12 months. A cumulative implant survival rate was calculated, and data were analyzed with descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall cumulative implant survival rate at 1 year was 97.8%, with 97.2% and 100% in the maxilla and the mandible, respectively. The average marginal bone loss was 1.9 mm at the 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that, within the limitations of this preliminary study, this treatment modality for completely edentulous jaws is predictable with a high survival rate.
authors.affiliation: research@clinicamalo.pt
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Araujo Nobre
authors.forename: Armando
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003824:Denture, Complete; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000601:surgery; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants