Implants inserted with low insertion torque values for intraoral welded full-arch prosthesis: 1-year follow-up

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Immediate loading protocols for full-arch prostheses are increasingly utilized.
• Low insertion torque (IT) values can compromise primary implant stability.
• Rigid framework splinting is a technique to enhance stability in implant-supported restorations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate osteointegration and crestal bone remodeling around implants with low IT values.
• To assess the success of intraoral welded immediate full-arch prostheses.
• To compare outcomes between implants with low (≤ 20 Ncm) and moderate (25–50 Ncm) IT.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study included 13 patients requiring immediate full-arch prostheses.
• Implants were categorized into test (low IT ≤ 20 Ncm) and control (moderate IT 25–50 Ncm) groups.
• Periapical x-rays assessed crestal bone levels at baseline and 12 months; implant survival was recorded.

Main Results:

• A total of 82 implants were placed (51 test, 31 control).
• One-year survival rates were 98% for test and 100% for control implants.
• Mean crestal bone loss was minimal and not statistically significant between groups (0.7 ± 0.9 mm test vs. 0.8 ± 0.6 mm control at 12 months).

Conclusions:

• Low IT implants, when splinted in a rigid framework, demonstrate favorable osteointegration and survival rates.
• Immediate loading protocols are viable even with implants exhibiting low primary stability.
• Rigid framework splinting is a promising technique for full-arch immediate prostheses with low IT implants.