Evaluation of two vitallium blade-form implants retrieved after 13 to 21 years of function: a clinical report

This article describes the clinical, radiographic, and histologic evaluation of 2 immediately loaded Vitallium blade-form implants retrieved from the posterior maxilla of 2 patients after 21 and 13 years of function. Neither implant demonstrated mobility or signs of pathosis, and both appeared to have integrated well with surrounding bone. The hydroxyapatite coating of the second implant, which was retrieved after 13 years of function, showed no dissolution. These observations suggest that immediately loaded dental implants have the potential to achieve and maintain osseointegration and that hydroxyapatite coatings can resist degradation over long-term service.