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Updated: Jul 29, 2025
Multi-Scale Modification of Metallic Implants With Pore Gradients, Polyelectrolytes and Their Indirect Monitoring In vivo
Published on: July 1, 2013
Narrow diameter titanium-zirconium tissue-level implants supporting multi-unit FDPs in the anterior area: A 5-year
Pablo Altuna1, Sandra Fernández-Villar2, Albert Barroso-Panella1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
Narrow diameter implants (NDIs) are used in cases of limited mesio-distal space, or if the alveolar ridge does not allow placement of a standard diameter implant.
Purpose:
The aim of this prospective case series study is to present the 5-year clinical-, radiological-, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of patients with partial edentulism in the anterior area of the jaws requiring the placement of two narrow diameter implants to support a 3- or 4-unit fixed partial denture (FPD).
Materials And Methods:
Thirty partially edentulous patients missing 3 or 4 adjacent teeth in the anterior area of the jaws were included in the study. Two titanium-zirconium tissue-level NDIs were placed in each patient in healed anterior sites (60 implants). A conventional loading protocol was performed to provide a FPD. Implant survival, success, marginal bone-level changes (MBL), clinical parameters, buccal bone stability with CBCT, adverse events and PROMs were recorded.
Results:
The survival and success rates for the implants were 100%. The mean MBL (±SD) after prosthesis delivery, and 5-year follow-up (mean 58.8 months; range: 36-60) was 0.12 ± 0.22 and 0.52 ± 0.46 mm, respectively. Decementation and screw loosening were the most frequent prosthetic complications, yielding a prosthetic survival and success rates of 100% and 80%, respectively. Patient satisfaction was high with a mean (±SD) score of 89.6 ± 15.1.
Conclusions:
The use of tissue-level titanium-zirconium NDIs supporting splinted multi-unit FPDs in the anterior area seems to be a safe and predictable treatment option after a 5-year follow-up period.
