Long-Term Follow-Up of 2.5-mm Narrow-Diameter Implants Supporting a Fixed Prostheses.
BACKGROUND
The use of narrow-diameter implants (NDIs; <3.75 mm) constitutes an alternative to bone augmentation procedure. Long-term evaluation of NDIs with a diameter <3.0 mm is still lacking.


OBJECTIVE
Analyze the long-term outcomes of 2.5-mm NDIs splinted to regular-sized implants for supporting partial and complete fixed prostheses.


METHODS
Patients charts were retrospectively analyzed to select patients treated by the insertion of at least one 2.5-mm two-piece implant before July 2005. The study was based on the available charts (no patient was recalled). Patient's demographic data were described. The known implant length was used as a reference to calibrate the linear measurements of marginal bone loss on digital periapical radiograph. Implant details, survival and prosthetic complications were analyzed.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven 2.5-mm implants placed in 20 patients (mean age at surgery: 54.05 ± 9.7 years) in maxilla and mandible were included and evaluated. The implants' mean follow-up time since insertion was 6.5 ± 3.2 years (range 0 to 9.7 years). The follow-up time was more than 7 years for 22 implants. One implant failed due to lack of osseointegration. Two prosthetic complications (connector and porcelain fracture) occurred. The survival rate was 97.3% for implants and 92.0% for prostheses. The mean marginal bone loss at the mesial and distal aspect was 0.70 ± 0.55 and 0.72 ± 0.56 mm, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
When dental implants of 2.5 mm in diameter are splinted by a fixed prosthesis, long-term favorable outcomes could be obtained.
Oral implantology, Eduardo Anitua Foundation, Vitoria, Spain.|Eduardo Anitua Foundation, Vitoria, Spain.
Eduardo
E
Anitua
Eduardo Anitua Foundation, Vitoria, Spain.
Juan
J
Saracho
Eduardo Anitua Foundation, Vitoria, Spain.
Leire
L
Begoña
Eduardo Anitua Foundation, Vitoria, Spain.
Mohammad Hamdan
MH
Alkhraisat
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000601:surgery; D015993:Life Tables; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015921:Dental Implants
fixed prosthesis; implant survival; long term; narrow-diameter implants; two-piece implants