Astra Tech and Brånemark System implants: a prospective 5-year comparative study. Results after one year

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Biomaterials Science
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Endosseous dental implants are widely used, with numerous available systems.
• Varied scientific documentation complicates comparisons between different implant systems.
• Standardized comparative studies are crucial for evidence-based clinical decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively randomize and compare two prominent Swedish dental implant systems: Astra Tech and Brånemark System.
• To evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes after one year of follow-up.

Main Methods:

• A prospective randomized study involving 66 patients.
• 184 Astra Tech and 187 Brånemark System implants were placed and equally distributed.
• Annual clinical and radiographic examinations were conducted, with 1-year results reported.

Main Results:

• Astra Tech implants showed significantly easier and less time-consuming abutment procedures compared to Brånemark implants (p < .02 in maxilla, p < .05 in mandible).
• Astra Tech implants exhibited a significantly lower failure rate (0.5%) versus Brånemark implants (4.3%, p < .05), though Brånemark results require cautious interpretation due to potential intraindividual correlation.
• No significant difference in total marginal bone loss over the observation period, but distinct resorption patterns were noted; Astra Tech showed greater bone loss between baseline and 1-year follow-up in the maxilla (0.22 mm vs. 0.03 mm).

Conclusions:

• The Astra Tech implant system offers a simpler abutment connection procedure compared to the Brånemark System.
• Astra Tech implants demonstrated a higher survival rate than Brånemark System implants after one year.
• While overall bone loss was similar, differences in resorption patterns warrant further investigation.