Outcome analysis of immediately placed, immediately restored implants in the esthetic area: the clinical relevance of different interimplant distances.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate bone and soft tissue levels between immediately placed, immediately restored implants positioned in the esthetic anterior region with different interimplant distances (IID).


METHODS
Forty-nine patients requiring multiple implant restorations in the anterior regions received 152 implants, which were restored immediately. Periapical radiographs and digital images of 99 interimplant sites were taken at the regular follow-up examinations at 0, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. They were digitally recorded and analyzed. The presence of the interproximal papilla was assessed and compared to the distances between the bone crest and the contact point between the natural teeth and the restoration crowns.


RESULTS
Implants with an IID <2 mm seemed to lose less bone laterally. When the IID was <2 mm, vertical crestal bone loss was significantly greater than in the group with IID >4 mm. The percentage of the interproximal papilla presence decreased when the distance between the bone crest and the contact point between the two restoration crowns was >6 mm and when two implants were placed at a distance > or =4 mm.


CONCLUSIONS
To guarantee a better esthetic result in immediately placed, immediately restored implants, the contact point between the two prosthetic crowns should be placed at 3 to 4 mm, and never >6 mm, from the bone peak. Two adjacent implants should be placed at a distance >2 and <4 mm.
Department of Bucco-Maxillofacial Surgery and Traumatology and Periodontology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Marco
M
Degidi
Arthur Belem
AB
Novaes
Diego
D
Nardi
Adriano
A
Piattelli
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003794:Dental Restoration, Temporary; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D020390:Tooth Socket
D015921:Dental Implants