title: Long-Term Outcomes of Early Loading of Straumann Implant-Supported Fixed Segmented Bridgeworks in Edentulous Maxillae: A 10-Year Prospective Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There have been few studies investigating the long-term outcome of early-loaded implants with segmented bridgeworks on fully edentulous maxillae.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term predictability of early-loaded Straumann implant-supported fixed segmented bridgeworks in edentulous maxillae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-one implants were placed in 12 patients with edentulous maxillae. After a healing period of 6 weeks, the abutments were tightened followed by cementing of fixed full-arch prostheses. The patients were recalled after 1, 3, 5, and 10 years of loading for clinical evaluation. Implant success rate, peri-implant soft tissue condition, technical complications, marginal bone loss and patients' satisfaction was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven of the 12 patients attended the 10-year follow-up. Two implants were lost. The implant success rate was 97.6% at implant level and 81.8% at patient level. The mean marginal bone loss was found to be 0.41 ± 0.55mm, 0.53 ± 0.43mm, 0.68 ± 0.76 mm and 1.01 ± 0.85 mm at the 1, 3, 5, and 10-year follow-up respectively. None of the 11 patients showed a modified plaque index (mPLI) or modified bleeding index (mBI) of 3. Only one patient was found to have pocket probing depth (PPD) exceeding 3 mm. Peri-implantitis was found around one of the implants in a patient after 4 years of loading. The success rate of prostheses was 55.3% at prosthesis level and 27.3% at patient level. The most common technical complication of the prostheses was chipping of the ceramic veneer. Damaged veneers were observed in five patients. Other complications were loss of retention and abutment loosening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early loading of Straumann SLA implants for support of full-arch segmented bridgeworks represents a viable therapy for the fully edentulous maxillae in the long term. High success rate of implants, acceptable peri-implant soft tissue condition and excellent patient satisfaction can be achieved, while technical complications of prostheses are common.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Implantology, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai Institute of Stomatology; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Xiao
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Implantology, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai Institute of Stomatology; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jun-Yu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Implantology, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai Institute of Stomatology; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Ying-Xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillo-facial Implantology, Shanghai 9th People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University; Shanghai Institute of Stomatology; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Hong-Chang
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015921:Dental Implants; D003829:Denture, Partial; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: dental implants; early loading; edentulous maxillae; fixed prosthesis