Long-term performance of Osseotite implants: a 6-year clinical follow-up.

In this prospective, multicenter study, 147 Osseotite implants were placed in 75 patients (32 men and 43 women with a mean age of 54 years) using a conventional two-stage surgical protocol with 3 months of healing time in the mandible and 6 months in the maxilla. Of the 147 implants, 69% were inserted in posterior sites and 64% were short implants of 10 mm or less. From the time of implant insertion to second-stage surgery, 5.1 months (+/- 2.4 months) elapsed. Restorative treatments included 25 single-tooth replacements (28.4%), 58 short span fixed bridges (65.9%), 1 full-arch reconstruction (1.1%), and 4 overdentures (4.5%). The mean time from implant placement to final recall was 74.1 months (+/- 8.9 months). At second-stage surgery and at 6-month and annual follow-up examinations, implants were evaluated for mobility, peri-implant radiolucency, gingival health, signs and symptoms of infection, neuropathies, paresthesia, and crestal bone levels. A 3-year interim report identified 5 implant failures, 4 of which occurred as a clustering phenomenon in a single, medically compromised patient. Using the life table analysis method, the cumulative implant success rate was calculated at 96.6%. The 3-year interim report indicates that the implants developed an extended, functional osseous state that remained stable for more than 6 years.

A simplified technique for producing platelet-rich plasma and platelet concentrate for intraoral bone grafting techniques: a technical note.

A method to produce platelet-rich plasma and platelet concentrate using a double centrifuge technique in combination with the fibrin adhesive Tisseel is described. This technique constitutes the basic mixture for augmenting and improving an inadequate bone site. Also described is a procedure by which autologous bone or bone substitute is added to this mixture to increase the volume of grafting material. Platelet concentrates cause growth factors to be delivered to graft sites in an intense form, while Tisseel serves as a standardized, pharmaceutically manufactured fibrin adhesive.

Preliminary results of a multicenter study evaluating a chemically enhanced surface for machined commercially pure titanium implants.

PURPOSE: This report presents the preliminary results of a prospective multicenter study to evaluate the efficacy of a chemically etched pure titanium surface on screw-type dental implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of 147 implants placed in 75 patients were evaluated and followed for up to 3 years, using clinical and radiographic examinations. The implants were inserted to support single crowns, overdentures, and fixed prostheses, as dictated by the individual patient's need. RESULTS: Of the 147 implants placed, 5 were lost and the remaining implants were followed throughout, to the end of the study period. Crestal bone levels adjacent to each implant were monitored and the amount of total bone loss was calculated. Clinically healthy peri-implant gingival tissues were observed on 95% of the implants, whereas 88.3% demonstrated no bleeding on probing and no recession during the follow-up period. According to the criteria used in this study, the total success rate was calculated to be 96.6%.

The reverse-torque test: a clinical report.

Reverse torque to failure on implants has been studied in animals. Three implants were reverse torqued to failure in a human volunteer, with failure rates between 45 and 58 Ncm. Clinical data are presented on 404 implants examined after reverse-torque testing and loading, with no increase in failure rates. Reverse-torque testing at 20 Ncm appears to be a safe, reliable method for verifying osseointegration with pure titanium screw-shaped implants.

Single tooth implant--management for success.

Implant positioning in a mesio-distal, bucco-lingual, and apical-occlusal direction is a prerequisite in developing a good emergence profile and creating optimum aesthetics. The use of a healing abutment and the following healing and maturation of soft periimplant tissue develop a subgingival dimension that allows an emergence profile of the final restoration that is consistent with the size of the tooth to be replaced and the adjacent teeth. The learning objective of this article is to review and update the knowledge of single tooth implants and their management.

Mechanical aspects of a Brånemark implant connected to a natural tooth: an in vitro study.

Mechanical in vitro tests of the Brånemark implant disclose that the screw joint which attaches the prosthetic gold cylinder and the transmucosal abutment to the fixture forms a flexible system. This inherent flexibility seems to match well the vertical mobility of a supporting tooth connected to the implant. Calculations of vertical load distribution based on measured flexibility data demonstrate that the forces are shared almost equally between tooth and implant even without taking the flexibility of the surrounding bone or the prosthesis into account. The therapy of a single Brånemark implant connected to a natural tooth should be considered without any additional element of a flexible nature. Mechanical tests and theoretical considerations, however, indicate that the transverse mobility of the connected tooth should be limited and that the attachment of the prosthesis to the tooth should be of a rigid design to avoid gold-screw loosening.

The role of osseointegrated implants in esthetic dentistry.

During the past 5 years, tremendous advancements have been made in the application of the principles of osseointegration to esthetic dentistry. Long-term predictability, combined with time-honored esthetic principles, can now greatly benefit patients previously burdened by removable dental appliances.

Gingival augmentation for osseointegrated implant prostheses.

A method of solving some problems inherent with osseointegrated implant prosthesis has been presented. A removable flange can reestablish lip support or block escape of unwanted air while allowing the access necessary for competent hygiene procedures. Overdentures may be indicated to provide the prosthetic gingival surface necessary for adequate food control or speech.