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Published on: October 18, 2021
Long-Term Outcomes of 6-mm Short Implants Supporting Splinted Crowns in Posterior Regions: A 12-Year Prospective
Diyuan Wei1, Huiping Sui1, Han Zhang1
1Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, NHC Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, NMPA Key Laboratory for Dental Materials, Beijing, China.
Aim:
To assess the clinical, radiographic and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of 6-mm short implants supporting splinted crowns in posterior regions at 12 years following early prosthetic loading.
Materials And Methods:
This prospective study enrolled 45 patients (95 implants; Ø4 × 6 mm) across three centres. Participants received 2-3 implants in posterior regions, with all prosthetically rehabilitated via screw-retained splinted crowns following a 6-week healing period. Clinical and radiographic parameters were assessed at implant placement, prosthetic loading and post-loading intervals (6/12/24/36/60/96/144 months). Biological and mechanical complications were documented at each revisit. PROs were collected at the 12-year follow-up.
Results:
Thirty-nine patients completed the 12-year follow-up, including three evaluated remotely. Mean marginal bone level change was -0.09 ± 0.26 mm. Seven implants failed, with four occurring before early loading and the other three after 5 years post loading. The cumulative survival rate was 92.6%. Prevalences of peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis were 37.8% and 2.7% at the implant level, corresponding to 50.0% and 5.6% at the patient level, respectively, while mechanical complication prevalence was 31.1%. Patients were highly satisfied with implant treatment at the final follow-up.
Conclusions:
Six-mm short implants supporting early loaded splinted crowns in posterior regions could achieve stable clinical outcomes and marginal bone levels with high satisfaction over a 12-year follow-up period.
Trial Registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01346696.