Raissa Micaella Marcello-Machado1, Fernanda Faot2, Alessandra Julie Schuster3, Amália Machado Bielemann3, Otacílio Luiz Chagas Júnior4, Altair Antoninha Del Bel Cury5. 1. Graduate Program in Clinical Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. 2. Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 3. Graduate Program in Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 5. Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontology, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Narrow diameter implants (NDI) are recommended to retain mandibular overdentures (MOs) in cases of limited bone thickness. It is necessary to evaluate the clinical behavior of NDI as MO retainers connected to a new screwless locking taper abutments, their predictability and maintenance problems. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the peri-implant tissue behavior around NDI and the performance of locking taper stud abutments as MO retainers. METHODOLOGY: Thirty patients (average age of 67.5 years) received 2 NDI implants (2.9 × 10 mm) loaded after 12 weeks using Equator stud attachments. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were monitored during osseointegration at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and postloading at 24, 48, and 60 weeks. The marginal bone level (MBL) and bone level changes (BLC) were determined at baseline and 60 weeks. RESULTS: The cumulative success rate was 83.3%. The PI oscillated in the first 24 weeks and decreased from 48 weeks onward, while the CI score showed significantly higher values at week 8 (22%). The GI also peaked at week 8 (18.6%) and decreased from week 12 onward. The PD decreased gradually over time, but no significant differences were found between weeks 8 and 12. The ISQ decreased significantly between 0 and 12 weeks. After MO loading, the ISQ values increased linearly and significantly between 12 and 24, 24 and 48, and 48 and 60 weeks and reached values similar to the primary stability after 60 weeks [56.1(42.0-65.3)]. No significant MBL was observed at 60 weeks, with an average BLC of -0.06 ± 0.64 mm. CONCLUSION: NDI connected to locking taper Equator attachments showed a stable clinical behavior as an MO retainer for edentulous patients with clinical mandibular atrophy.
BACKGROUND: Narrow diameter implants (NDI) are recommended to retain mandibular overdentures (MOs) in cases of limited bone thickness. It is necessary to evaluate the clinical behavior of NDI as MO retainers connected to a new screwless locking taper abutments, their predictability and maintenance problems. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the peri-implant tissue behavior around NDI and the performance of locking taper stud abutments as MO retainers. METHODOLOGY: Thirty patients (average age of 67.5 years) received 2 NDI implants (2.9 × 10 mm) loaded after 12 weeks using Equator stud attachments. The plaque index (PI), calculus index (CI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), and implant stability quotient (ISQ) were monitored during osseointegration at 0, 4, 8, and 12 weeks and postloading at 24, 48, and 60 weeks. The marginal bone level (MBL) and bone level changes (BLC) were determined at baseline and 60 weeks. RESULTS: The cumulative success rate was 83.3%. The PI oscillated in the first 24 weeks and decreased from 48 weeks onward, while the CI score showed significantly higher values at week 8 (22%). The GI also peaked at week 8 (18.6%) and decreased from week 12 onward. The PD decreased gradually over time, but no significant differences were found between weeks 8 and 12. The ISQ decreased significantly between 0 and 12 weeks. After MO loading, the ISQ values increased linearly and significantly between 12 and 24, 24 and 48, and 48 and 60 weeks and reached values similar to the primary stability after 60 weeks [56.1(42.0-65.3)]. No significant MBL was observed at 60 weeks, with an average BLC of -0.06 ± 0.64 mm. CONCLUSION: NDI connected to locking taper Equator attachments showed a stable clinical behavior as an MO retainer for edentulouspatients with clinical mandibular atrophy.