Single-tooth replacement with the Frialit-2 system: a retrospective clinical analysis of 146 implants

This study was intended to provide a report of experience and results with Frialit-2 implants used for single-tooth replacement.

Over a 7-year period (1994-2000), 146 single-tooth implants (84 maxilla, 62 mandible) were placed in 112 patients (67 females, 45 males; 31.2 +/- 16.4 years). The sites included maxillary anterior teeth (n = 38) as well as the mandibular premolars and molars (n = 57). Ninety-three crowns were cemented and 53 crowns were screw mounted (22 with vertical, 31 with horizontal screws) on standard abutments. The follow-up time varied between 3 and 80 months (35.8 +/- 16.5 months).

Two implants (1.4%) were lost, 1 during early loading and the other after 6 years. The most frequent prosthetic complication was isolated crown loosening of cemented crowns requiring recementation of 9 crowns (9.9%). Crowns with vertical screws showed no crown and/or screw loosening. Four crowns (2.8%) were replaced because of ceramic fracture.

Peri-implant soft tissue condition, bone resorption, and Periotest values indicated satisfactory results. The cumulative implant survival rate during the follow-up period was 97.3%, and that of the crowns 96.4% (total cumulative survival rate 93.7%).

With the low number of abutment screw loosenings (3.5%), the deep internal hexagonal retention compared favorably to external retention methods. The predominant use of long implants (98.4% > or = 13 mm) allowed a favorable implant/crown ratio with the potential for problem-free, long-term results.