Does the Laser-Microtextured Short Implant Collar Design Reduce Marginal Bone Loss in Comparison with a Machined...

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Biomaterials Science
• Periodontology

Background:

• Subgingival placement of dental implants is common for posterior tooth replacement.
• Implant collar surface characteristics may influence marginal bone levels and peri-implant tissue health.
• Short-collar implants are utilized to preserve bone height.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare marginal bone loss (MBL) between short-collar implants with machined collars versus those with machined and laser-microtextured collars.
• To evaluate implant success rates and probing depths (PD) at 3 years post-placement.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study design involving patients needing posterior tooth replacement.
• Two groups of short-collar implants: machined collar (M group) and machined/laser-microtextured collar (L group).
• Evaluation of MBL, implant success, and PD at 3-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• 103 implants placed in 62 patients; 100% cumulative survival rate.
• Significantly less MBL in the laser-microtextured collar group (0.49 mm) compared to the machined collar group (1.38 mm) at 3 years (p < 0.01).
• Significantly shallower PD observed in the laser-microtextured collar group throughout follow-up (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Both implant collar types demonstrated predictable outcomes regarding bone loss.
• Laser-microtextured collars resulted in less bone resorption and shallower probing depths compared to machined collars.
• Laser-microtextured collar implants may offer an advantage in maintaining shallower probing depths and reducing bone loss.