Three-year evaluation of single-tooth implants restored 3 weeks after 1-stage surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The possibility of expediting dental implant therapy by early or immediate loading protocols requires long-term clinical investigation. The aim of this prospective cohort trial was to determine the 3-year implant success rate and prosthesis complications associated with functional loading 3 weeks after 1-stage placement of Astra Tech single-tooth implants replacing maxillary anterior teeth. A secondary objective was to determine peri-implant tissue responses at these implants.


METHODS
The peri-implant bone and mucosal conditions of 43 implants in 39 subjects were radiographically and clinically measured 3 years after implant placement.


RESULTS
Of the 48 patients originally treated, 39 patients and 43 implants were examined at the 3-year time point. Three of 54 implants failed within the first year. No additional failures were recorded since the 12-month reporting period. Peri-implant bone levels were stable for the 3-year period following implant placement. The change in marginal bone levels after 3 years was 0.42 +/- 0.59 mm. Papilla growth was measured at 1 and 3 years (0.61 +/- 0.95 mm and 0.74 +/- 0.79 mm, respectively). The buccal peri-implant tissue dimensions at the gingival zenith also increased at 1 and 3 years (0.34 +/- 0.94 mm and 0.51 +/- 1.42 mm, respectively). No abutment screw loosening or fracture occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Early loading of endosseous dental implants placed in healed ridges offers select benefits to clinicians and their patients.
Cooper
Lyndon F
LF
Department of Prosthodontics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450, USA. Lyndon_Cooper@dentistry.unc.edu
Ellner
Stefan
S
Moriarty
John
J
Felton
David A
DA
Paquette
David
D
Molina
Anthony
A
Chaffee
Nancy
N
Asplund
Peter
P
Smith
Rex
R
Hostner
Carin
C
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003442:Crowns; D003481:Cuspid; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome