Eight to eleven-year follow-up of immediately loaded implants placed in edentulous maxillae with compromised bone volume and poor bone quality: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of long-term evaluations of immediately loaded implants in patients with compromised maxillary bone. PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term survival and success of immediately loaded implants in subjects with poor maxillary bone quality and volume. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Follow-up was performed on subjects who received six implants loaded within 24 hours with screw-retained fixed prostheses. Twenty-five subjects with limited bone (Lekholm and Zarb, quantity 3 and 4, and quality C and D) were included in the study. Nineteen participated in the radiographic examination and of these 17 participated in the clinical examination at the last visit. Evaluations of marginal bone loss were performed at 1, 3, 5, and 8-11 years. The last clinical examination included removal of the prosthesis followed by registration of: plaque, pus, pocket depth, bleeding upon probing, mobility, and percussion testing. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 9 years and 2 months (101-131 months) after surgery and showed a cumulative implant survival rate of 81.9% and success rate of 74.7%. Mean marginal bone loss was 1.29 mm (SD 2.47 mm range 0-11 mm) with a mean pocket depth of 3.1 mm (SD 2.4 mm, range 1.5-13.5 mm). 42.5% of the implants showed plaque retention and 72.2% showed bleeding on probing. CONCLUSION: This nonaugmenting immediate loaded implant protocol for maxillary edentulous patients is a satisfactory solution for selected patients.

Immediate Loading of Tilted and Axial Posterior Implants in the Edentulous Maxillary Arch: A Retrospective Comparison of 5-Year Outcomes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively compare long-term outcomes for immediately loaded tilted and axial implants placed in the posterior region of the edentulous maxillary arch. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data obtained from a 5-year prospective study designed to assess clinical outcomes following immediate loading of implants with screw-retained fixed restorations in the edentulous maxillary arch were retrospectively reviewed. Where insufficient alveolar bone was available for axial placement of the posterior-most implant on each side of the arch, tilted placement was employed. Implant survival and marginal bone level changes for these tilted and axial posterior implants were compared. RESULTS: Fifty-one subjects received 64 tilted and 38 axial posterior implants. Forty subjects with 53 tilted and 34 axial posterior implants returned for follow-up after 5 years. Five tilted and seven axial implants failed, representing an 89% and 86% survival proportion, respectively. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.79 (SD: 1.42) mm for tilted implants and 0.14 (SD: 0.34) mm for axial implants. The differences in survival proportions and marginal bone loss between axial and tilted implants were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Predictable long-term implant rehabilitation may be achieved in the edentulous maxillary arch using posterior tilted implants in combination with immediate loading.

The influence of immediately loaded implant treatment in the atrophic edentulous maxilla on oral health related quality of life of edentulous patients: 3-year results of a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate oral health related quality of life (OHQoL) in edentulous patients treated with immediately loaded implants in the maxilla. METHODS: Fifty-one edentulous patients in two centers received six maxillary implants each were loaded within 24 h with provisional restoration. Definitive restoration was delivered 20-24 weeks later. OHQoL was evaluated preoperatively with the Oral Health Impact Profile 49 questionnaire (OHIP-49) and on five subsequent occasions. OHIP-49 includes seven domains representing functional limitation, physical pain, psychological discomfort, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability, and handicap. A reduction in OHIP scores indicated an improved OHQoL. RESULTS: Forty-five patients reached the three-year follow up. OHQoL improved after treatment. A plateau of OHQoL improvement was observed at 12 months after surgery. The seven domains improved at different pace, 12 weeks to 12 months after treatment. OHIP showed continuously low scores with no significant changes at consecutive visits 12 months to three years after treatment. Dental status with removable prosthesis in the mandible had a negative impact on OHQoL prior to and during treatment, but did not affect OHQoL after permanent restoration was placed. Patients age or gender did not affect OHQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with edentulous maxilla who received prosthetic rehabilitation on immediately loaded implants experienced the highest improved OHQoL 12 months after implant installation. Quality of life related to oral health continued to be high after three years. Edentulous patients with atrophy of the maxilla experience an improved OHQoL after implant treatment with immediate loading protocol. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00711022 .

Immediate Loading of Implants in the Edentulous Maxilla with a Fixed Provisional Restoration without Bone Augmentation: A Report on 5-Year Outcomes Data Obtained from a Prospective Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: Successful immediate loading of implants in the edentulous maxilla has been previously reported. The purpose of this 5-year prospective study was to further assess long-term outcomes following immediate loading of implants in the edentulous maxilla with fixed provisional restorations without the use of bone augmentation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects with edentulous maxillary arches each received six implants placed in native bone without augmentation. Where insufficient posterior bone volume existed, angled implant placement was employed. Fixed provisional restorations were delivered within 24 hours of implant placement. Implant placement locations, insertion torque values, and implant dimensions were recorded. Definitive fixed prostheses were placed within 24 weeks following implantation. Baseline implant site marginal bone levels were measured using periapical radiographs. Baseline peri-implant plaque and bleeding scores were obtained. Subjects were examined 6 months after implant placement and then annually for 5 years with follow-up periapical radiographs and plaque/bleeding scores obtained. RESULTS: Fifty-one subjects received a total of 306 implants. Forty subjects with 232 implants returned for the final follow-up appointment representing a 5-year implant survival proportion of 93% with a mean marginal bone loss of 0.44 ± 1.25 mm for this group. Thirty-nine of these 40 subjects continued to function with fixed restorations with the remaining subject functioning with a non-implant-retained removable prosthesis. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, predictable long-term implant rehabilitation outcomes were demonstrated for the edentulous maxilla using an immediate loading protocol without bone augmentation.

Three-year follow-up of immediately loaded implants in the edentulous atrophic maxilla: a study in patients with poor bone quantity and quality.

PURPOSE: Immediate loading of implants in the edentulous maxilla has previously been successfully performed and reported. Severe resorption of the maxillary alveolar crest presents a more demanding situation for the restorative team. Thus, it would be valuable to assess outcomes for this immediate loading treatment protocol in subjects with marked maxillary alveolar crest atrophy. This study evaluated the 3-year results of dental implants that were immediately restored with provisional fixed prostheses in atrophic maxillae without previous augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two centers enrolled subjects with resorbed edentulous maxillae (Lekholm and Zarb quality 3 or 4 and quantity C, D, or E). Six implants were placed in each subject and restored with screw-retained fixed provisionals within 24 hours. Impressions were taken for definitive restorations, which were placed 20 to 24 weeks later. Radiographs were used to analyze marginal bone level changes throughout the study. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients received 306 implants. Forty-five patients remained in the study at the 3-year follow-up visit and successfully used their definitive prostheses. Sixty-two percent of the implants were placed in bone quantity C and quality 3 or 4, and 38% were placed in quantity D and quality 3 or 4 bone. Thirteen implants in six subjects were lost, resulting in a cumulative survival rate of 96% after 3 years. The mean marginal bone loss during the first year was -0.4 ± 0.8 mm (255 implants); at 3 years it was -0.6 ± 1.1 mm (253 implants). CONCLUSION: Data from the first 3 years of this study revealed good clinical outcomes. Careful selection of patients and planning by the restorative team can enable successful treatment outcomes for patients presenting with marked resorption of the edentulous maxilla.

Patient satisfaction following dental implant treatment with immediate loading in the edentulous atrophic maxilla.

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated patient satisfaction using the Oral Health Impact Profile 49 (OHIP-49) questionnaire for patients who received six implants in the severely resorbed maxilla and an implant-supported prosthesis that was delivered within 24 hours after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one edentulous patients with severe atrophy in the maxilla were included in the study, which was performed at two centers. Six implants were placed in the maxilla and loaded within 24 hours with a provisional restoration. The definitive restorations were delivered 20 to 24 weeks later. Patients were asked to complete the OHIP-49 questionnaire (which includes seven domains representing functional limitation, physical pain, psychologic discomfort, physical disability, psychologic disability, social disability, and handicap) prior to implant placement and on three subsequent occasions. The data were collected and analyzed and OHIP scores were compared over time. RESULTS: Baseline satisfaction scores for the two different centers displayed no statistically significant differences. Treatment resulted in improved total OHIP-49 scores in both centers, with no significant difference between centers. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in any of the individual pretreatment and posttreatment OHIP-49 domains between centers. All seven domains showed a statistically significant improvement posttreatment. Of the seven domains, social disability and handicap showed the least improvement and had the lowest pretreatment scores, indicating lower significance for these domains compared to the other domains during implant treatment. This study also indicated that domains one to five (functional limitation, physical pain, psychologic discomfort, physical disability, and psychologic disability) are the most important domains in patient satisfaction with implant therapy. CONCLUSION: Measurement with the OHIP-49 questionnaire displayed that patient satisfaction increases after treatment with a fixed restoration on implants loaded within 24 hours.

Mandibular reconstruction with vascularized fibula flap and osseointegrated implants: a clinical report.

Primary and secondary reconstruction of mandibular discontinuity defects with vascularized flap is currently the standard of care in many institutions. The most commonly used donor site for such flaps is fibula. Fibula provides enough bone length, allows 2-team approach, and has low donor site morbidity and abundant periosteal blood supply. The placement of endosseous implants in the vascularized fibula flap also facilitates functional dental rehabilitation. This clinical report describes the prosthetic rehabilitation and the complications of 2 mandibular discontinuity defects treated with vascularized fibula flap and implant-supported fixed prosthesis.

Implant rehabilitation of the atrophic edentulous maxilla including immediate fixed provisional restoration without the use of bone grafting: a review of 1-year outcome data from a long-term prospective clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The literature suggests that predictable integration can be achieved when dental implant placement is combined with immediate fixed provisional restoration in a variety of clinical situations. Fewer data are available, however, regarding outcomes for immediate provisional restoration of implants in the edentulous maxilla. This report presents 1-year data acquired from a long-term prospective clinical trial designed to assess outcomes following the immediate provisional fixed restoration of implants in the atrophic edentulous maxilla without the use of bone augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one subjects diagnosed with an atrophic edentulous maxilla received a total of 306 implants (six implants per subject) followed by fixed provisional restoration within 24 hours of implant placement. No subjects underwent grafting to enhance bone volume in preparation for implant treatment. Data acquired included bone quantity and quality, implant dimensions, implant locations, and implant placement stability. Subjects returned for 1-year follow-up examinations to assess implant integration and restoration function. Periapical radiographs were obtained and compared to baseline images to assess marginal bone height maintenance. RESULTS: At the 3-month follow-up examination, 294 of 306 implants placed in 51 subjects were found to be integrated. This represents a cumulative implant survival rate of 96%. At the 1-year follow-up examination, mean marginal bone loss of 0.5 mm was noted, with no further loss of implants. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the contention that predictable long-term outcomes may be obtained for the atrophic edentulous maxilla when treated with an implant rehabilitation protocol that includes immediate fixed provisional restoration without the use of bone grafting. This strategy offers a promising treatment alternative for the patient with an atrophic edentulous maxilla.

A survey of clinicians: prioritization of dental treatment in leukemia patients prior to chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Chronic oral and dental infections that may remain benign and asymptomatic in healthy individuals can develop into serious and life-threatening conditions when leukemia patients undergo chemotherapy. There is a general consensus that elimination of chronic dental and oral infections prior to chemotherapy reduces the risk of serious problems that may require hospitalization. The limited time available for dental treatment prior to chemotherapy forces clinicians to prioritize. The aim of this study was to determine how hospital-based clinicians who routinely see leukemia patients prioritize dental treatment prior to chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted that targeted the membership of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics because a large number of these clinicians had first-hand experience in managing leukemia patients. RESULTS: The consensus was that apical radiolucencies and severe periodontitis must be eliminated. Opinions differed regarding whether and how mild periodontal pathology and caries lesions should be treated. CONCLUSION: Most of the surveyed practitioners believed that infectious processes that invade the bone pose the highest risk if left untreated prior to chemotherapy.

Osseointegrated craniofacial implants in the rehabilitation of orbital defects: an update of a retrospective experience in the United States.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Since their introduction, craniofacial implants have been used in prosthetic rehabilitation of facial defects. The literature, however, indicates marked variability in outcomes using implants for the retention of orbital prostheses. PURPOSE: A multicenter report updating the experience in the United States with the use of craniofacial implants for prosthetic rehabilitation of orbital defects is presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surveys were sent to clinicians at 25 centers where maxillofacial prosthetic treatment is provided to obtain retrospective data regarding patients who completed implant-retained orbital prosthetic rehabilitation. Data on implant placement location, radiation treatment history, and use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy were collected and assessed in relationship to implant survival over time. The Kaplan-Meier life table and Wilcoxon analyses (alpha = .05) were used to assess the significance of the findings. RESULTS: Ten centers responded, providing data suitable for statistical analysis on 153 implants placed to retain 44 orbital prostheses and followed for a mean period of 52.6 months. Forty-one implant integration failures occurred during this follow-up period, resulting in an overall integration survival rate of 73.2%. No significant relationship was found between radiation treatment history, hyperbaric oxygen therapy history, or implant placement location and implant survival. Individual responses revealed large variability between reporting centers in treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: Craniofacial implants may offer marked benefits in the prosthetic rehabilitation of orbital defects when compared to conventional adhesive retention designs. However, questions remain regarding long-term predictability and the impact specific factors may have on treatment outcomes. Insufficient data is currently available from which to draw statistically meaningful conclusions. The establishment of a national database designed to acquire adequate data to assess treatment outcomes is recommended.

Adjunctive commissure splint therapy: a revised approach.

The management of trauma to the commissures has been an ongoing challenge for the medical and dental professions. Multiple surgical and prosthetic approaches have been used. Commissure splint therapy is often effective in association with surgery in reducing the effects of scar contraction that ultimately results in microstomia and reduced quality of life. This article describes methods of fabrication of the commissure splint appliance, the rationale for its modification, advantages, and disadvantages.

Early rehabilitation of facial defects using interim removable prostheses: report of two clinical cases.

Postsurgical facial defects often pose a challenge to patient rehabilitation. Such defects can have a severe adverse effect on patient perceptions of body image and self-esteem. When immediate surgical repair of the defect is not feasible, an interim removable facial prosthesis may be considered. This prosthesis can be fabricated and placed as soon as several days after surgery to provide a cosmetically acceptable appearance, permitting the patient to more comfortably and confidently resume social interactions during the postoperative healing period. This article presents two case reports describing the use of interim facial prostheses to provide rapid patient rehabilitation.

Dental follow-up compliance in a population of irradiated head and neck cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed post-radiation therapy dental follow-up compliance in a population of head and neck cancer patients. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 334 dental charts were retrospectively reviewed to determine the follow-up status of dentate patients. All patients were informed of the importance of returning, after completing radiotherapy, for regular follow-up dental examinations on an indefinite basis. Data regarding compliance with these follow-up instructions over time were obtained. RESULTS: Approximately 170 (51%) of the 334 dentate patients were identified as being lost to dental follow-up. The mean point in time at which follow-up failure occurred was 7.5 months after the initial preirradiation dental examination. CONCLUSION: Dental follow-up compliance may be poor in this irradiated patient population, with follow-up failures potentially occurring less than 1 year after the completion of radiotherapy. Preradiation dental care planning must take into account the likelihood of patients being lost to follow-up.

A Longitudinal Clinical Comparison Plaque-Induced Inflammation Between Gingival and Peri-Implant Soft Tissues in the Maxilla.

BACKGROUND: Little information exists concerning the periimplant soft tissue response to plaque compared to the gingiva of the dentition. The purpose of this study was to compare this relative tissue response to plaque in humans over time. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-five (275) hydroxyapatitecoated implants were placed in the maxillae of 50 subjects followed by prosthetic rehabilitation. Baseline gingival (GI) and plaque (PI) index scores were obtained for all implants. Two to 4 teeth per subject were similarly measured, serving as controls. Measurements were repeated at 6-month intervals over 30-months. GI scores were evaluated relative to PI scores at 4 separate sites for each implant, to implant location within the oral cavity, and to length of time that each implant was in function. RESULTS: The peri-implant mucosa demonstrated a significantly greater likelihood of having elevated GI scores relative to PI scores when compared to the gingiva (chi-square for combined PI scores of 0 and 1 = 85.0, df = 1, P <0.001; for combined PI scores of 2 and 3 = 114.6, df = 1, P <0.001). A logistic generalized linear model confirmed the significance of these results (Student t for implant effect = 21.602). It further demonstrated significantly elevated GI scores for implant sites over time and for implants located in the posterior oral cavity. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that maxillary peri-implant soft tissues are at increased risk for plaque-induced inflammation relative to the gingiva of the dentition. Hygiene recall standards and treatment regimens may require revisions to minimize peri-implantitis and prevent bone loss. J Periodontol 2001;72:1139-1145.