[Implant survival and success rates in partially edentulous patients--Part I]

The use of osseointegrated implants is an accepted procedure for the treatment of complete or partially edentulous jaws. The purpose of this prospective long-term study was to evaluate the survival and success rates of endosseous dental implants (machined surface) in partially edentulous patients. A total of 76 patients (47 females, 29 males) with 214 implants (68 maxillary, 146 mandibulary) were evaluated. Their mean age was 45, ranging from 18 to 76 years. The implant length varied between 7 and 15 mm, the diameter between 3.4 and 6 mm. Nine implants were lost before abutment connection. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 3 and 6 months, 1 year, 2 and 3 years after insertion of the prostheses. Radiographic examination included intraoral periapical films to evaluate the horizontal and vertical bone loss. During the follow-up period, 18 implants in 10 patients were classified as failures. Fifteen implants were lost, and three implants were considered failures because of vertical bone loss greater than 0.2 mm per year after the first year of functional loading. The marginal bone loss averaged 2.1 mm in the maxillae and mandibles. According to the Kaplan-Meier estimator the probable implant survival and success is at 93% and 88% respectively after 63 months. Long implants (> 10 mm) have a significantly better chance of survival than shorter implants (< or = 10 mm). The results of this prospective study indicate that 3i endosseous dental implants provide an average foundation for implant-supported restorations.