Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021 Aug 29. doi: 10.1007/s10006-021-00993-5. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Distally inclining posterior implants may be technically challenging in certain situations. The presence of a posterior cantilever can also exert unfavorable forces on supporting implants. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare peri-implant soft and hard tissues around 4 mandibular interforaminal implants having tilted posterior implants with posterior cantilevers, versus vertical implants, 2 in the interforaminal region and 2 in the first molar regions, without posterior cantilevers. All implants supported full-arch fixed detachable restorations opposing complete dentures.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 80 implants were placed flapless in the mandibles of 20 edentulous participants. Four implants were placed for every participant, who were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups. Axial group implants were vertically aligned, with 2 implants in the interforaminal area and 2 in the molar area. Tilted group implants have 2 anterior axial and 2 posterior distally inclined implants. Interim screw-retained prostheses converted from pre-existing dentures were immediately fabricated and loaded on the same day of surgery. After awaiting period of 3 months, all participants received fixed detachable metal acrylic resin definitive restorations. A follow-up protocol of 3, 6, and 12 months was scheduled to assess the modified gingival index, modified plaque index, peri-implant probing depth, implant stability, and marginal bone level and bone density changes.
RESULTS: No statistically significant differences (P > .05) were found in the modified gingival index, modified plaque index, peri-implant probing depth, implant stability, bone density, and marginal bone level between the axial and tilted implant groups after the 1-year follow-up period.
CONCLUSION: Placing 4 flapless immediately loaded implants in mandibular edentulous patients that supported full-arch fixed restorations provided high implant and prosthodontic success rates whether posterior implants were tilted with posterior cantilevers or vertically aligned without posterior cantilevers.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry database, PACTR201907776166846. Registered 3 July 2019, www.pactr.org .
PMID:34455503 | DOI:10.1007/s10006-021-00993-5
