Osseointegrated implants for single-tooth replacement: progress report from a multicenter prospective study after 3...

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Periodontology

Background:

• Single-tooth restorations using Brånemark implants are a common dental solution.
• Long-term prospective studies are crucial for evaluating implant success rates and stability.
• Understanding factors influencing implant survival and peri-implant tissue health is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the 3-year clinical outcomes of single-tooth restorations supported by Brånemark implants.
• To evaluate the cumulative success rate and survival of these implant restorations.
• To monitor changes in peri-implant health, bone levels, and abutment screw stability over time.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, multicenter study design.
• Inclusion of 92 patients with single-tooth restorations on Brånemark implants.
• Follow-up assessments at 1 and 3 years, including clinical parameters and radiographic evaluation.

Main Results:

• A 3-year cumulative success rate of 97.2% was achieved, with 82 of 92 original patients remaining.
• No significant changes in gingivitis, pocket depth, bleeding index, or mobility were observed from year 1 to year 3.
• Marginal bone resorption averaged less than 0.1 mm annually, and abutment screw loosening significantly decreased, especially with gold screws.

Conclusions:

• Brånemark implant-supported single-tooth restorations demonstrate high long-term success and survival rates.
• Peri-implant tissues remain stable, with minimal bone loss and low complication rates after 3 years.
• Gold abutment screws appear more secure than titanium, suggesting material choice may influence mechanical stability.