Long-term Retrospective Clinical Study Comparing Submerged Type with External Hex Connection and Non-submerged Type with Internal Morse Taper Connection Implants

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to compare the survival and success rates, and long-term crestal bone loss according to the use of 2 connection types of dental implants (submerged-USII and non-submerged-SSII; Osstem Implant®) by analyzing the change in alveolar bone height after 1 year under load and during final follow-up period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2004 and August 2008, patients with two types of Osstem implants (USII and SSII) were retrieved retrospectively. A total of 92 patients with 284 implants (USII=60, SSII=224) was finally selected. Their mean follow-up period was 7.5 years. The mesial and distal alveolar crestal bone changes were measured using radiographic images and the average was calculated at 1 year after loading and during final follow-up period. RESULT: Among the 284 implants, 4 USII and 7 SSII implants were removed, indicating 93.3% and 96.9% survival rates. Of the survived implants, mean crestal bone loss 1 year after loading was 0.39 mm for USII and 0.19 mm for SSII (P=0.018). During the final follow-up, mean crestal bone loss was 0.63 mm and 0.35 mm for USII and SSII, respectively, without statistical significance (P=0.092). According to the criteria for the success and failure of the implant by Albreksson and colleagues, final success rate was estimated as 86.7% for USII and 91.5% for SSII, respectively. CONCLUSION: At 1 year after loading, the average crestal bone loss was significantly different between USII and SSII; however, both types met the criteria for implant success. During the final follow-up, both groups showed insignificant bone resorption patterns and did not show any pathological clinical symptoms. Therefore, both implants exhibited high long-term stability.