Implants placed in an alveolar ridge with a sloped configuration. A 3-year prospective multicenter study

The aim of the present study was to evaluate soft and hard tissue alterations around implants with a modified marginal portion placed in a healed, sloped ridge over 3 years of follow-up.

65 patients with a single recipient implant site in an alveolar ridge with a lingual-buccal sloped configuration were recruited. Implants with a modified geometry in the marginal portion were installed in such a way that the sloped part of the device was located at the buccal and most apical position of the osteotomy preparation. Crowns were placed 21 weeks after implant placement. Radiologic examinations were performed at implant installation and at 1 and 3 years of follow-up. Bleeding on probing (BoP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL; from the crown margin) were recorded at the insertion of the prosthesis and after 1 and 3 years.

57 patients with 57 implant-supported restorations attended the 3 years follow-up examination. The radiographic analysis revealed a mean marginal bone loss of 0.57 mm during the 3 years period. While the average bone loss between 1 and 3 years amounted to 0.30 mm, approximately 50% of the implants showed no bone loss during this period. The results from the clinical examinations showed a CAL gain of 0.11 ± 0.85 mm between baseline and 3 years of follow-up. About 65% of the implants showed no loss of attachment between 1 and 3 years. BoP and PPD ≥5 mm were identified at <10% of implants at the 3 years examination.

Hard and soft tissues formed around dental implants that were designed to match the morphology of an alveolar ridge with a lingual-buccal sloped configuration remained stable over 3 years.