Wedge-Shaped Implants for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Narrow Ridges: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Oral Rehabilitation
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Narrow alveolar ridges present a significant challenge for dental implant placement.
• Traditional implant techniques may require extensive bone augmentation procedures.
• Novel implant designs are needed to address limitations in narrow ridge rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical and patient-centered outcomes of implant-supported rehabilitation using a novel wedge-shaped implant in narrow ridges.
• To assess implant stability, marginal bone loss, and patient morbidity.
• To determine the short-term efficacy of this new implant system.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 44 patients receiving 59 narrow (1.8 mm bucco-lingual width) wedge-shaped implants in horizontally atrophic ridges (mean width 3.8 mm).
• Outcome measures included implant stability quotient (ISQ), marginal bone loss (MBL), and patient morbidity.
• Follow-up assessments were conducted at prosthesis delivery (6 months post-insertion) and one year of functional loading.

Main Results:

• A high implant survival rate of 98.3% (58/59 implants) was observed after one year.
• Significantly higher ISQ values were recorded in the mesio-distal compared to the bucco-lingual direction (p < 0.001).
• ISQ values increased significantly from 4 to 6 months post-insertion (p < 0.001). Mean MBL was 0.60 ± 0.52 mm after one year.
• Patients reported mild, transient postoperative discomfort and pain.

Conclusions:

• The novel wedge-shaped implant demonstrates promising short-term clinical results and low morbidity for rehabilitating narrow ridges.
• The implant design appears to provide adequate stability and acceptable marginal bone levels.
• This implant system offers a viable alternative for narrow ridge cases, potentially reducing the need for augmentation procedures.