Clinical and radiological Outcome of Narrow diameter implant supporting a fixed prosthesis: A retrospective study

Background

Narrow diameter implant (NDI) could present an effective alternative to bone augmentation or orthodontic procedures in areas of limited bone volume or in situations where the space is limited by adjacent teeth.

Aim/Hypothesis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the success and survival rates as well as crestal bone loss (CBL) of NDI

Material and Methods

A retrospective study enrolled all patients treated with implants ≤ 3.5 in diameter placed in the mandible or in maxilla. Patients included were in good general health and they have been followed for more than one year after implant insertion. Outcome criterions were survival rates and marginal bone loss. The known implant length was used as a reference to calibrate the linear measurements of marginal bone loss on digital periapical radiograph.

Results

Thirty 3.0 mm and 3.5 mm implants placed in nineteen patients (mean age at surgery was 59.1 ± 14.29 years) in maxilla and mandible were included and evaluated. 33.3% of NDI were placed in the anterior sector. The implants mean follow-up time since insertion was 17.43 ± 7.13 months. Implants were loaded after 10.42 ± 3.24 months.

No implant failures were reported, yielding a 100% survival rate. The mean MBL was 1.32 mm (ranged from 0.42 to 2.62 mm). No significant difference was noticed in MBL between different sectors.

Conclusion and Clinical Implications

Despite the limitations of the study, our findings showed that NDI can be considered as a possible alternative treatment with promising survival rates. However, longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm these results.