Three-Year Evaluation of Branemark Implants Connected to Angulated Abutments

A 3-year multicenter study on 63 maxillary and 10 mandibular fixed prostheses in 71 patients is reported. Angulated abutments or a combination of angulated and standard abutments were used to support prostheses; all components were from the Branemark System. Of 425 implants initially placed, 4 were lost before abutment connection. Of the remaining 421 implants, 209 angulated (test) abutments and 212 standard (control) abutments were placed to support fixed prostheses. The prosthesis success rates were 96.8% for maxillae and 100% for mandibles. A total of 5.3% of the loaded test implants and 7.5% of the loaded control implants failed. The survival rates after 3 years were 91.3% for maxillary control implants, 94.8% for maxillary test implants, 97.4% for mandibular control implants, and 94.1% for mandibular test implants. The findings in this study pointed out that angulated abutments will not necessarily promote peri-implant mucosal problems. The study indicated that angulated abutments on Branmark System implants have exhibited good preliminary results and should be comparable to the standard abutment as a predictable modality in prosthetic rehabilitation.