Long‐term follow‐up of turned single implants placed in periodontally healthy patients after 16–22 years: radiographic and peri‐implant outcome

Abstract

Objectives: Retrospectively evaluate the survival, radiographic and peri-implant outcome of single turned Brånemark^™ implants after at least 16 years. Materials and methods: From 134 patients (C-group), 101 could be contacted concerning implant survival and 50 (59 remaining implants) were clinically examined (I-group). Marginal bone level was radiographically measured from the implant–abutment junction at baseline (=within 6 months after abutment connection) and 1–4, 5–8 and 16–22 years post-operatively. Probing depth, gingival and plaque index were measured. Marginal bone-level changes were analyzed using Friedman's and Wilcoxon's signed ranks tests. Spearman's correlations between radiographic and clinical parameters were calculated. Results: In the C-group, 13 out of 166 implants in 11 out of 134 patients failed (CSR=91.5%). In the I-group (28 males–22 females; mean age 23.9 years at baseline; range 14–57), the mean follow-up was 18.4 years (range 16–22). The mean bone level was 1.7±0.88 mm (range −0.8 to 5) after 16–22 years. Changes in the mean marginal bone level were statistically significant between baseline and the second measuring interval (1–4 years). Thereafter, no significant differences could be demonstrated. The mean interproximal probing depth, gingival and plaque indices were 3.9±1.27 mm, 1.2±0.81 and 0.2±0.48, respectively. Probing depth was moderately correlated with gingival inflammation (r=0.6; P0.05). 81.4% of the implants had a bone level ≤2nd thread and 91.5% had a probing depth ≤5 mm. 76.3% had both bone level ≤2nd thread and probing depth ≤5 mm. Conclusions and clinical implications: The single turned Brånemark^™ implant is a predictable solution with high clinical survival and success rates. In general, a steady-state bone level can be expected over decades, with minimal signs of peri-implant disease. A minority (5%), however, presents with progressive bone loss. To cite this article:Dierens M, Vandeweghe S, Kisch J, Nilner K, De Bruyn H. Long-term follow-up of turned single implants placed in periodontally healthy patients after 16–22 years: radiographic and peri-implant outcome.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012; 197–204. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2011.02212.x