Success rates of microimplants in edentulous patients with residual ridge resorption

Restorative therapy of edentulous mandibles with residual ridge resorption is still a great challenge. Even though implant-supported stabilization of dentures has proved to be of value in these cases, treatment is sometimes problematic, not only due to narrow width of the denture-bearing areas but also because elderly patients are often averse to surgery. Implants with a normal length but a reduced diameter might facilitate therapy in patients with implant-supported dentures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical success of implants with a small diameter.

In a prospective study, patients were provided with 2 implants 2.5 mm in diameter (MicroPlant; Brasseler, Lemgo, Germany) in a 2-stage procedure in the intraforaminal area of the edentulous mandible. Subsequently, the patients were monitored in periodic recalls. Periotest value, Gingival Index, and attachment level were monitored at these recall evaluations. Peri-implant bone loss was measured using panoramic radiographs. Patients rated the functionality of their denture using questionnaires administered before and after treatment.

Sixty-seven patients were monitored during an average observation time of 6 years (SD 2.7). The cumulative survival rate of the implants was 95.5%. Clinical and radiographic parameters yielded results comparable to those of implants with a larger diameter. The questionnaire revealed sharp and significant improvement in denture retention and chewing ability after denture stabilization with the implants.

The clinical data and the results of the questionnaire clearly indicated that the patients were satisfied with the concept of stabilization of complete mandibular dentures with small-diameter implants.