Open AccessThe Adaptation of Implant-Supported Superstructures to the Alveolar Crest: A Follow-Up of 49 Cases
Author(s) -
Stefan Åhrén,
KarlErik Kahnberg
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
implant dentistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1538-2982
pISSN - 1056-6163
DOI - 10.1097/00008505-200107000-00006
Subject(s) - dentistry , maxilla , medicine , mandible (arthropod mouthpart) , implant , alveolar crest , dental alveolus , radiography , alveolar process , orthodontics , reduction (mathematics) , surgery , biology , geometry , mathematics , botany , genus
A prospective clinical and radiographic study has been carried out in 49 patients with a total of 252 implants. In a mixture of 17 edentulous mandibles, 20 edentulous maxillas, nine partial edentulous cases, and three single-tooth cases, prosthetic treatments were aimed at getting as close an adaptation as possible between gingival tissues and superstructure. The shortest possible abutments were used, and the implants were surgically positioned subcrestally. The results during a 5-year follow-up showed a success rate of 98.9% for fixtures in the lower jaw and 96.3% for the upper jaw with a total success rate of 97.3%. The marginal bone reduction during five years with closely adapted superstructures was 0.11 mm in the mandible and 1.1 mm in the maxilla. Our results support the use of close gingivally adapted superstructures, although oral hygiene controls and instructions are regularly advisable.