Flaplessly placed 2.4-mm mini-implants for maxillary overdentures: a prospective multicentre clinical cohort study

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Implantology
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Flapless, one-piece mini dental implants (MDIs) for maxillary overdentures are understudied.
• Edentulous maxilla patients with mandibular prostheses are a target group for this treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term outcomes of flapless mini dental implants supporting maxillary overdentures.
• To assess implant and prosthetic survival rates, patient satisfaction, and postoperative discomfort.

Main Methods:

• Prospective multicenter cohort study over 2 years.
• Involved 31 patients (≥50 years) with 5-6 MDIs placed flaplessly in the maxilla.
• Evaluated implant/prosthetic survival, pain scores, and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• 17.3% MDI failure rate (higher in females); 6.5% prosthetic failure rate.
• Implant survival: 86.3% (6 months), 84.0% (1 year), 82.3% (2 years).
• High patient satisfaction (8.6/10) and 96% recommendation rate.

Conclusions:

• Maxillary MDIs for overdentures demonstrate acceptable prosthetic survival and high patient satisfaction.
• Despite higher MDI failure rates compared to the mandible, this is a valuable treatment alternative.
• Implant loss was linked to sex and high torque values (>25N·cm).