title: Evaluation of Highly Porous Dental Implants in Postablative Oral and Maxillofacial Cancer Patients: A Prospective Pilot Clinical Case Series Report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of new porous tantalum trabecular metal (PTTM)-enhanced titanium dental implants used for the prosthodontic rehabilitation of postablative cancer patients. First-year interim results of a prospective clinical case series are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 25 PTTM-enhanced titanium implants were placed in both maxillas and mandibles of 6 patients, who met specific inclusion criteria. Resonance frequency analysis was conducted, and implant stability was recorded in Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values at implant placement and after 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of functional loading. Bone levels were calculated by digitally measuring the distance from the implant shoulder to the first bone-to-implant on periapical radiographs taken at surgery and after 2, 4, 6, and 12 months of functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cumulative implant survival was 100% (n = 25/25). At implant placement and the 2-, 4-, 6- and 12-month monitoring appointments, mean ISQ values were 72.14 ± 5.61 (range = 50-81), 64.39 ± 8.12 (range = 44-74), 74.26 ± 7.14 (range = 44-74), 76.84 ± 7.65 (range = 60-83), and 78.13 ± 4.14 (range = 64-84), respectively, and mean crestal marginal bone loss was 0.19 ± 0.25, 0.22 ± 0.4, 0.3 ± 0.46, and 0.57 ± 0.62 mm, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTTM-enhanced dental implants were clinically effective in the prosthetic rehabilitation of postoncological patients. Larger long-term follow-up studies will help to evaluate clinical efficacy of PTTM dental implants.
authors.affiliation: *Faculty Member, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. †Director, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Maxillofacial Specialization School, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. ‡Faculty Member, Department of Diagnostic and Intervention Radiology, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. §Head, Implant-Prosthetic Unit, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brauner
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guarino
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jamshir
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Papi
authors.forename: Valentino
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valentini
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pompa
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pompa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059605:Dental Implant-Abutment Design / Q000379:methods; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000379:methods; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013635:Tantalum / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D013635:Tantalum