Prospective study of 429 hydroxyapatite-coated cylindric omniloc implants placed in 121 patients

Controversy over the long-term clinical effectiveness of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated dental implants still persists, despite numerous clinical studies documenting high survival rates. The Ohio State University College of Dentistry undertook a 5-year prospective study of 429 HA-coated cylindric implants placed into 121 patients to determine the long-term clinical performance of the implants.

All study subjects were patients screened and evaluated in the university's dental clinic by one of the principal investigators and one member of the surgical team. A total of 429 HA-coated implants were placed in 121 patients. The Ohio State University Human Subjects Committee approved and reviewed this study.

At the time of this report, 375 implants had completed 5 years of clinical follow-up. Beyond the 5-year limit of the study, 282 implants had completed 6 years and 114 implants had completed 7 years of clinical monitoring. The cumulative survival rate was 96% at 5 years and 95% at 7 years of follow-up. Mean combined mesial/distal bone loss was 1.2 mm in the mandible and 1.4 mm in the maxilla after 5 years of functional loading. Implant failures were most commonly associated with short implants or angled abutments.

Prospective clinical data are extremely valuable for clinicians evaluating the reliability of dental implant systems. In the present study, the implants achieved 100% osseointegration with minimal marginal bone loss, and 96% of the implants remained in function at 5 years.

The HA-coated cylindric implants in this study provided a predictable means of oral rehabilitation.