Immediate transmucosal implants using the principle of guided tissue regeneration. I. Rationale, clinical procedures and 30-month results

Abstract

The installation of implants directly into extraction sockets offers considerable advantages over other treatment modalities for both practitioners and patients. Usually, immediate implants are placed and subsequently covered by mucosa allowing a submerged healing mode. This report presents the rationale, clinical procedures and results for immediate transmucosal implants. Following an intracrevicular incision and flap elevation, the tooth to be extracted is carefully luxated by means of small elevators to preserve the entire bony housing of the tooth. A titanium plasma-sprayed implant (ITI Bonefit) is then installed at the bottom or in the wall of the extraction socket. An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene barrier membrane (Gore-Tex GTAM) is tightly adapted around the implant post and over the bony margins of the alveolus. The flaps are then replaced, adapted around the neck of the implant and sutured. During nonsubmerged, transmucosal healing of the site, meticulous plaque control is performed by mechanical and chemical means. Membranes are removed after 5-7 months. Since infection was prevented, the implants obtained stability, healthy peri-implant mucosal tissues were observed and missing bone in the alveoli regenerated. Of 21 transmucosal implants placed into fresh extraction sockets, 20 yielded complete bone fill and coverage of the entire plasma-coated implants surface at the time of membrane removal. This documentation suggests that the immediate nonsubmerged installation of an implant into an extraction socket is a predictable treatment modality with good long-term prognosis.