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Published on: February 10, 2014
Clinical and histologic findings for microimplants placed in one stage and loaded for three months: a case report
William Becker1, Lars Sennerby, Burton E Becker
1Department of Periodontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. Branebill@AOL.com
Background:
Implants are placed in either one or two stages. There is an absence of histologic human evidence relating to implant integration after loading.
Purpose:
The purpose of this case report was to present clinical and histologic findings for smooth-surfaced titanium turned microimplants placed in one stage and loaded after healing.
Materials And Methods:
Five one-piece microimplants were placed in a fully edentulous mandible. Three microimplants (tests) were placed in one stage and extended through the keratinized mucosa for 3 mm. Two additional microimplants (controls) were placed even with the mucosa. After 3 months of healing, three test implants were loaded for an additional 3 months. At this time, three loaded implants and one control were removed en bloc.
Results:
Histologic and histometric evaluations were made. For all specimens, there was excellent bone-to-implant contact. The loaded implants had from two to four exposed threads. Using marginal bone levels as the reference, the highest percentage of bone-to-implant contact was noted with the unloaded control implant (92.2%). One nonaxially loaded implant had 66.9% bone-to-implant contact, whereas the axially loaded implants (n = 2) had 77.8% bone-to-implant contact.
Conclusions:
Within the limits of this case report, smooth-surfaced, titanium threaded microimplants placed in one stage and loaded for 3 months demonstrated excellent osseointegration, with varying bone-to-implant contact. The amount of bone-to-implant contact may be related to axial implant loading.
