Long-Term Retrospective Clinical and Radiographic Follow-up of 205 Brånemark System Mk III TiUnite Implants Submitted to Either Immediate or Delayed Loading.
BACKGROUND
Studies are needed to evaluate long-term performance of immediately loaded implants with moderately rough surface. This retrospective study evaluated long-term survival and periimplant soft and hard tissue conditions in patients treated with TiUnite implants.


METHODS
Forty-one consecutive patients (mean age, 52.6 years) received 205 Brånemark System Mk III TiUnite implants (145 maxillary, 60 mandibular). The indication was single tooth (n = 7 implants), partial (n = 94), or full arches (n = 104). One hundred thirteen implants were immediately loaded. Cumulative survival rate (CSR) of implants was assessed. Long-term marginal bone remodeling, probing pocket depth (PPD), and periimplant mucosa conditions were assessed.


RESULTS
Follow-up averaged 8.8 years (range, 6.6-10.6 years). Eight implants in 5 patients failed. CSR was 96.1% (implant basis) and 87.8% (patient basis) up to 10 years. At the longest follow-up, bone loss averaged 0.43 ± 1.15 mm (n = 173), PPD averaged 3.64 ± 0.74 mm, and periimplant mucosa was healthy in 74.6% of cases. Furthermore, 50.3% and 35.5% of implants scored negative for plaque and bleeding, respectively. No significant difference in CSR and hard and soft tissue conditions was found in the long term between immediately and delayed loaded implants.


CONCLUSIONS
Implants with TiUnite surface demonstrated excellent long-term survival, marginal bone response, and soft tissue conditions, despite a nonoptimal level of oral hygiene.
*Private Practice, Palermo, Italy; Associate Clinical Teacher, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom. †Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Head of Section of Oral Physiology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.
Mario
M
Imburgia
Massimo
M
Del Fabbro
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000453:epidemiology; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D057893:Immediate Dental Implant Loading / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D015921:Dental Implants