Clin Oral Implants Res. 2021 Aug 5. doi: 10.1111/clr.13815. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The present pilot study analyzed two abutment types (a retentive ball and a non-retentive dome) in implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPDs) on 6 mm short implants with respect to clinical, radiological, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs), during the first year.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two implants were placed bilaterally in mandibular molar sites, converting existing free-end removable partial dentures (RPDs) to IARPDs. Twelve subjects were randomized to initially receive either the dome (Group A, n=6) or the ball abutment (Group B, n=6). After eight weeks, the abutments were exchanged. After another 8 weeks, the participants were given the choice of one of the abutments. Mean values and standard deviations (sd) were calculated, and random-effect linear regression analyses were applied to analyze marginal bone level alterations and PROs (α < 0.05).
RESULTS: Twelve participants were included in the study; however, one drop-out occurred. Patient ratings increased significantly in both study groups. The majority of the participants (82%) ultimately chose the ball abutment. The implant survival rate was 100%, and the success rate was 90.9% twelve months after implant placement (mean peri-implant bone-loss: -1.2; sd: 0.6mm) without a statistically significant difference between the study groups, in terms of clinical- and radiological outcomes.
CONCLUSION: Placing 6 mm short implants at mandibular molar sites of RPD wearers seems to be a viable treatment option, based on this investigation with a short-term follow-up. Although only minor differences between the two abutments were observed, patients seem to prefer the ball over the dome abutment.
PMID:34352145 | DOI:10.1111/clr.13815
