A retrospective case series evaluating Branemark BioHelix implants placed in a specialist private practice following 'conventional' procedures. One-year results after placement

Purpose: To evaluate, in a retrospective case series, survival rates and complications of Brånemark dental implants placed according to 'conventional' procedures in patients consecutively treated in a Swedish specialist private practice. Materials and methods: Eighty-three consecutively treated patients received 89 final fixed prostheses (31 mandibular and 58 maxillary) supported by 310 (101 mandibular and 209 maxillary) implants placed according to 'conventional' procedures, that is, no implants shorter than 10mm, no immediate post-extractive implants and no bone grafting procedures. In 70 patients, implants were left to heal submerged, whereas 13 patients were treated according to a one-stage procedure. All restorations (40 screw-retained cross-arch bridges, 32 screw-retained partial bridges and 17 cemented single crowns) were delivered about 2 (mandible) to 3 or 4 (maxilla) months after implant placement. Outcome measures were prosthesis success, implant survival and complications. Results: One year after implant placement, no patients had dropped-out. No prostheses or implants had failed and no biological or biomechanical complications had occurred. Conclusions: Brånemark BioHelix dental implants placed according to 'conventional' procedures in 'selected' patients provided excellent short-term results. Randomised clinical trials with suitable controls are needed to confirm these preliminary results. Keywords: dental implants, follow-up, implant survival, observational study