Fresh-socket implants in periapical infected sites in humans

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Implantology

Background:

• Chronic periapical lesions pose challenges for tooth replacement.
• Immediate implant placement is a common procedure in modern dentistry.
• Assessing implant success in infected sites is crucial for predictable outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the outcomes of immediate dental implants placed in extraction sites with and without chronic periapical lesions.
• To evaluate soft and hard tissue integration of implants in these two conditions.
• To determine the predictability of immediate implant placement in compromised extraction sockets.

Main Methods:

• Thirty patients requiring single-tooth extraction were divided into two groups: control (no periapical lesions) and test (with periapical lesions).
• Implants were immediately placed in fresh extraction sockets and loaded after 3 months.
• Clinical parameters (PD, plaque index, mBI, MGL, KM) and marginal bone levels were assessed at baseline, 12, and 24 months.

Main Results:

• All implants achieved a 100% survival rate at 24 months.
• No statistically significant differences were observed in bone loss, plaque accumulation, bleeding index, or soft tissue levels between the groups.
• Mean probing depth (PD) was similar in both control and test groups.

Conclusions:

• Immediate endosseous implants placed in extraction sites with periapical infection demonstrate favorable soft and hard tissue integration.
• The outcomes are predictable and comparable to implants placed in non-infected sites.
• This suggests that immediate implant placement is a viable option even in the presence of periapical pathology.