title: Implant-supported fixed prostheses in the edentulous maxilla: 8-year prospective results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the long-term survival and success rates of implants and screw-retained, full-arch prostheses placed in edentulous maxillae over 8 years of function.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 106 Astra Tech implants were placed in the maxillae of 17 edentulous patients in a one-stage surgical approach. After a healing period of 6 months, the patients received fixed screw-retained bridges. Follow-up visits, including clinical and radiographic examinations, were performed after 6 months and at yearly intervals. Implant survival, implant success, and marginal bone-level changes were defined as the primary outcome variables. The secondary aims were to report periodontal pathogens at 5 years' follow-up and patients' satisfaction at the 8-year follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall observation time was 8 years. One patient died during the study and one implant failed during the healing period, yielding an 8-year cumulative implant survival rate of 99%. The prosthetic survival rate was 100%. The mean crestal bone loss amounted to 0.3 ± 0.72 mm. Patients' subjective evaluations demonstrated an overall high level of satisfaction. In all cases, except for one, microbiologic probing of the peri-implant sulcus after 5 years showed no higher incidence of periodontal pathogens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Screw-retained, full-arch restorations on six implants in an edentulous maxilla are a predictable and highly successful treatment concept as observed throughout this study with an observation period of 8 years of function, in particular with respect to low crestal bone loss and high patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany. christian.mertens@med.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mertens
authors.forename: Helmut G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Steveling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000382:microbiology; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000382:microbiology; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003779:Denture Design; D003827:Denture, Complete, Upper; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016300:Radiography, Bitewing; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants