STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The use of endosseous implants to support and retain dental prostheses has become a routine treatment option in many dental practices. Although physical, mechanical, and chemical differences exist among implant systems, survival claims are similar. PURPOSE OF STUDY: This review solicited literature from six implant manufacturers that was thought, by their standards, to be pertinent to the validation of their implant system. METHODS: The literature was reviewed and categorized. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the literature supplied by the manufacturers, only one implant system demonstrated scientifically valid long-term success.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The use of endosseous implants to support and retain dental prostheses has become a routine treatment option in many dental practices. Although physical, mechanical, and chemical differences exist among implant systems, survival claims are similar. PURPOSE OF STUDY: This review solicited literature from six implant manufacturers that was thought, by their standards, to be pertinent to the validation of their implant system. METHODS: The literature was reviewed and categorized. CONCLUSION: On the basis of the literature supplied by the manufacturers, only one implant system demonstrated scientifically valid long-term success.