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A prospective, multi‐center study assessing early loading with short implants in posterior regions. A 3‐year post‐loading follow‐up study
Author(s) -
Han Jie,
Tang Zhihui,
Zhang Xiao,
Meng Huanxin
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
clinical implant dentistry and related research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.338
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1708-8208
pISSN - 1523-0899
DOI - 10.1111/cid.12568
Subject(s) - medicine , implant , dentistry , maxilla , prospective cohort study , radiography , soft tissue , prosthesis , dental prosthesis , mandible (arthropod mouthpart) , survival rate , bone resorption , surgery , botany , biology , genus
Background Few prospective studies about early loading of short implant have been available and very little evidence exists on the outcomes longer than 3 years. Purpose To assess clinical and radiographic outcomes of 6 mm‐short implants placed in the posterior maxilla and mandible applying an early loading protocol. Materials and methods Ninety‐five short implants (6 mm‐short, Ø 4 mm) were placed in 45 subjects at 3 study sites, 2 or 3 implants per subject, using a one‐stage surgical procedure and loaded with a screw‐retained splinted fixed prosthesis 6 weeks later. Follow‐up took place at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after loading. Marginal bone level changes, implant survival, clinical variables, and adverse events were assessed. Results The survival rate for all implants placed was 95.8%. From implant loading to 3 years follow‐up, mean marginal bone level changes were minimal (0.07 ± 0.49 mm) and the peri‐implant soft tissue status was healthy. No major technical or biological complications occurred except for the 4 early implant losses. Conclusion Three‐year data indicates that the use of splinted 6 mm‐short implants is a viable treatment in posterior regions with low marginal bone resorption. Early loading after 6 weeks should be taken cautiously in patients with known risk factors.