Initial clinical efficacy of 3-mm implants immediately placed into function in conditions of limited spacing.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine changes in interdental papillae, alveolar bone loss, esthetics, and initial healing survival when 1-piece narrow-diameter implants were immediately loaded in sites with limited tooth-to-tooth spacing.


METHODS
One-piece titanium alloy implants with a maximum diameter of 3.0 mm and a resorbable blast surface texture on a square-thread form were evaluated. Digital photographs were made at each clinical visit to assess soft tissue healing. Interproximal soft tissue fill of the embrasure was assessed with a modified Jemt index. Standardized radiographs were made at baseline (implant placement) and at 6 and 12 months postsurgery. Radiographic bone height was measured from a consistent landmark on the implant. A 1-sided t test was used to determine statistical differences of bone height.


RESULTS
Thirty-one implants were placed in 17 subjects. One implant had clinical mobility and was removed, for an overall survival rate of 96.7%. Mean bone height on the day of placement and restoration was 2.33 + 0.73 mm above the first thread. Mean bone height was 1.75 +/- 0.78 mm at 6 months postrestoration and 1.63 +/- 0.81 mm at 12 months postrestoration. There was a statistically significant loss of bone support over the initial 6 months (0.58 mm; P < .01), with no significant progression thereafter (0.12 mm; NS). Complete fill of papillae was found in 92% of maxillary lateral incisor sites and 60% of mandibular incisor sites.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 1-piece narrow-diameter immediately loaded implants appears to be an effective prosthetic treatment for areas of limited space.
Department of Periodontology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0007, USA. mreddy@uab.edu
Michael S
MS
Reddy
S Jean
SJ
O'Neal
Sandra
S
Haigh
Ruth
R
Aponte-Wesson
Nico C
NC
Geurs
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D003442:Crowns; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth / Q000009:adverse effects; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003794:Dental Restoration, Temporary; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D005881:Gingiva / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008875:Middle Aged; D008904:Miniaturization; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome