A six-year study of hydroxyapatite-coated root-form dental implants

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• The clinical efficacy of hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated dental implants remains debated, with some concerns regarding their long-term performance.
• Previous studies have yielded controversial results on the success rates and complications associated with HA-coated implants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcomes of Impladent dental implants featuring hydroxyapatite coating over a six-year period.
• To assess the cumulative success rates of implants and the survival rates of various prosthetic restorations supported by these implants.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 391 consecutively placed HA-coated cylindrical root-form endosseous implants in 169 patients.
• Follow-up duration ranged from four to six years, with tabulation of implant and prosthesis survival and measurement of marginal bone loss.

Main Results:

• Initial osseointegration was achieved in 98.5% of implants.
• Cumulative implant success rates at 1, 3, 5, and 6 years were 98.3%, 97.0%, 92.8%, and 90.4%, respectively.
• Prosthesis survival varied by type, with fixed implant-supported bridges at 100% and maxillary overdentures at 81.3%. Average marginal bone loss after five years was 2.4 ± 0.8 mm.

Conclusions:

• The success rates of these HA-coated implants align with existing literature, including comparisons to non-coated implants.
• While overall success is favorable, the observed marginal bone loss highlights a need for continued, extended monitoring of HA-coated dental implants.
• Further long-term studies are essential to fully elucidate the behavior and potential complications of hydroxyapatite-coated dental implants.