title: A six-year follow-up of full-arch immediate restorations fabricated with an intraoral welding technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the 6-year effectiveness of maxillary and mandibular full-arch immediately loaded prostheses fabricated using an intraoral welding technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients received the same day of surgery a fixed, full-arch prosthesis supported by an intraorally welded titanium framework created directly in the patient's mouth using a titanium bar. Life table analysis of implant survival, complications, and any other adverse events were recorded at yearly follow-up for a period of 6 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty-four (86.11%) of 144 implants placed in maxillary cases and 87 (77.68%) of 112 implants placed in mandible cases completed the planned 6-year follow-up. At the 72-month follow-up, the accumulated mean marginal bone loss was, respectively, 1.39 mm (SD = 0.67) for the implants placed in the maxilla (n = 124) and 1.29 mm (SD = 0.71) for the implants placed in the mandible (n = 87). Fracturing of the composite resin superstructure was the most common adverse event.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After a 6-year follow-up period, the intraoral welding technique proved to be a predictable technique for successfully rehabilitating the fully edentulous patient with a fixed and immediate prosthesis.
authors: Department of Medical, Oral, and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Degidi
authors: Diego
authors: D
authors: Nardi
authors: Adriano
authors: A
authors: Piattelli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D012994:Dental Soldering / Q000379:methods; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014896:Welding / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D014025:Titanium