Single tooth replacement of missing molars: a retrospective study of 78 implants

As experience with osseointegrated implants has grown, greater use has been made of placement in the posterior jaw. The aim of this study is to present the survival rate of 78 osseointegrated single implants, inserted in the molar area and to evaluate the prosthetic rehabilitation on these teeth. This retrospective study presents findings of 55 consecutive patients with 78 restored single osseointegrated implants in the molar area. The patients went through a clinical and radiological evaluation. The same maxillofacial surgeon inserted all implants. Three of the implants were inserted into the maxilla and 75 into the mandible; 4 of the 78 implants were immediate implants. The cumulative survival rate after one year was 93.6%. Follow-up was up to 80 months, with an average of 27 months. Out of all the implants, 6 failed (7. 7%): 5 failed in the surgical stage, and 1 after prosthetic loading. The main implant failures were among the titanium screw implants. Prosthetic complications occurred in 11 cases (14%), which included loosening of the abutment and/or the crown (9 cases), fracture of the abutment (1 case), and porcelain fracture (1 case). No incident of implant fracture occurred. Within the limits of this study, replacement of a single molar by a single implant is a valid and successful surgical treatment modality, with a high survival rate.