Implants With and Without Laser-Microtextured Collar: A 10-Year Clinical and Radiographic Comparative Evaluation

This article reports, after at least 10 years of follow-up, the comparative data of marginal bone loss (MBL) and periimplant soft tissue parameters, around implant with and without laser-microtextured (L) collar surface, previously reported at 3 years of follow-up.

Twenty implants with L collar surface (test) were placed adjacent to 20 control implants with machined (M) collar surface in 15 partially edentulous patients, who were followed up for at least 10 years as part of a prospective longitudinal study. The plaque score, bleeding on probing (BoP) score, and probing depth (PD) were recorded at baseline and at each year follow-up examination. Mucosal recession (MR), and radiographic MBL were assessed at baseline and after at least 10 years.

Four patients were lost during follow-up, so the number of implants that have been followed for at least 10 years was 32 (16 tests and 16 controls). At the end of the follow-up period, no significant differences were found between the study groups regarding the presence of plaque and BoP (P > 0.05). A statistically significant difference between test and control implant was found for mean PD (2.3 ± 0.7 mm vs 3.8 ± 0.8), MBL (1.23 ± 0.21 mm vs 2.8 ± 0.9 mm), and mean MR (1.08 ± 0.4 mm vs 2.46 ± 0.3 mm).

Results suggest that after at least 10 years of function, implants with laser-microtexturing (L) collar surface, compared with implants with machined surface, lead to lower MBL and PD.