Crestal bone loss evaluation in osseotite expanded platform implants: a 5-year study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Immediate restoration of dental implants in the anterior maxilla presents unique challenges.
• Platform-switching technology is a design modification aimed at preserving marginal bone levels.
• Assessing long-term outcomes of such implants is crucial for clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate the 5-year survival rates of expanded platform implants.
• To assess the stability and bone levels around these implants when immediately restored with single crowns.
• To determine the clinical efficacy of platform-switched implants in the anterior maxillary region.

Main Methods:

• Prospective clinical study involving 64 platform-switched implants placed in fresh extraction sockets in the anterior maxilla.
• Immediate provisional restoration followed by final screwed restorations after 15 days.
• Evaluation of mesial and distal bone heights via digital radiography and primary stability using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) over 5 years.

Main Results:

• Mean mesial bone loss was 0.08 mm (SD 0.42) and mean distal bone loss was 0.14 mm (SD 0.56) over 5 years.
• The mean resonance frequency analysis (RFA) value, indicating implant stability, was 72.5 ± 3.1 SD over the study period.
• No significant complications or implant failures were reported that would compromise the overall survival rate.

Conclusions:

• Platform-switched implants placed in the anterior maxilla and immediately restored exhibit excellent long-term stability.
• The overall survival rate of 97.1% at 5 years supports the use of this implant system in this specific clinical scenario.
• Immediate restoration protocols combined with platform-switched implants are a viable option for anterior maxillary rehabilitation.