Complete Edentulous Rehabilitation Using an Immediate Function Protocol and an Implant Design Featuring a Straight Body, Anodically Oxidized Surface, and Narrow Tip with Engaging Threads Extending to the Apex of the Implant: A 5-year Retrospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Purpose: To report the 5-year outcome of NobelSpeedy design implants in immediate function fixed prosthetic rehabilitations.

Materials and methods: This retrospective clinical study included 46 consecutive patients (29 women and 17 men) with an average age of 55 years (range, 32 to 78 years) who were rehabilitated between 2003 and 2004 with full-arch restorations supported by dental implants in immediate function. The primary outcome measures were implant survival calculated based on implant function and using life tables. The secondary outcome measures were marginal bone levels measured at 3 and 5 years, and the incidence of mechanical and biologic complications.

Results: Five patients with 21 study implants dropped out (11%). One-hundred eighty-nine implants were inserted in the maxilla (n = 166) and mandible (n = 23). Five patients lost five implants, giving a cumulative survival rate of 97.3% at 5 years of follow-up. The average (SD) marginal bone levels were 1.45 mm (0.83 mm) and 1.72 mm (1.04 mm) at 5 years of follow-up. The incidence of mechanical complications in the provisional and definitive prostheses was registered in 14 and 6 patients, respectively: prosthetic screw loosening (n = 4 provisional prostheses, n = 3 definitive prostheses), abutment screw loosening (n = 5 provisional prostheses), fracture of the acrylic resin prostheses (n = 5 provisional prostheses, n = 1 definitive prosthesis), chipping of a ceramic crown (n = 1 definitive prosthesis), and fracture of a ceramic crown (n = 1 definitive prosthesis). The incidence of biologic complications (peri-implant pathology) was registered in 6 patients and 12 implants (7.1%).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it is possible to conclude that implants of the NobelSpeedy type used in immediate function for support of fixed prosthetic full-arch rehabilitations are a valid option, with a high survival rate.