Clinical outcomes of ultrashort sloping shoulder implant design: A survival analysis.

BACKGROUND: Short implants are preferred in cases of limited bone height. Length and design of implant credits to stability and implant success, shorter implants tend to survive for longer time duration. PURPOSE: Retrospective cohort study was conducted with an aim to assess the clinical outcome and cumulative survival rate of sloping shoulder implants over a period of 8 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected from all patients attending private clinics in Dubai, UAE. Subjects received ultrashort sloping shoulder (Bicon) implant. Implants of 6 mm and less than 6 mm length were included in the study. Subject's information like age, gender, systemic condition, habits, and radiographs were collected. Implant variables that is number of implants placed, location of placement, loading type, bone type, bone condition, and graft type were collected. Data was analyzed using multivariate cox regression model to evaluate the correlation between implant variables and to identify the implant variables associated with failure. Kaplan-Meier method was adopted to assess the survival pattern of implants. RESULTS: Cumulative survival rate was 97% with average follow up of 28 months. Statistically significant differences were seen with implant length, arch type, bone type, and bone condition with P value <.001. CONCLUSION: Short implants with sloping shoulder design and plateau-type roots have superior survival rates when compared with regular implants. The bone condition was also witnessed to be statistically significantly superior.

Comparison of Platform Switched and Sloping Shoulder Implants on Stress Reduction in various Bone Densities: Finite Element Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Comparison of platform switched (PS), sloping shoulder, and regular implants on stress reduction in various bone densities with finite element analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 12 three-dimensional finite element models were built to analyze the stress distribution model. Nobel Biocare 4.3 × 8 mm regular platform replace select implant with matching diameter easy abutment, Nobel Biocare 4.3 × 8 mm replace select implant PS with 3.5 mm diameter easy abutment, Bicon 4 × 8 mm implant with 4 mm diameter sloping shoulder abutments were created virtually in compact bone density using software. The 130 N axial force and a 90 N oblique loading force were applied to the abutment to analyze the stress. RESULTS: Under horizontal and vertical loading, the sloping shoulder implant had lesser stresses in cancellous bone when compared with PS and regular implants. Sloping shoulder implant showed more stress distribution at implant-abutment interface and at crestal area, whereas with regular implants, the stresses were distributed at cortical area. CONCLUSION: Sloping shoulder implant in subcrestal position is much favorable for bone growth, stress distribution, and preservation of remaining bone. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Use of sloping shoulder implant design distributes the stress apically and creates lesser stresses when compared with PS implants.