Immediate Restoration of Delayed Placement of Dental Implants in Patients with Treated Periodontal Disease: 1-Year Results

Purpose: To evaluate implant and patient characteristics in a prospective clinical study involving immediate fixed restoration of delayed placement of dental implants. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis and previously treated were accepted into the study when they expressed a wish to receive immediate restoration of dental implants. Treatment planning and implant placement were computer assisted, using computerized tomography, planning software, and a surgical template. Patients received abutments and cemented provisional prostheses no later than 72 hours following implant surgery. Patients were followed at 2 and 4 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: Eighteen patients were accepted and completed the study, ages ranged from 34 to 69 years (mean 54.5 ± 8.5 years). Five patients (27.8%) were smokers (2.5 to 60 pack years). Fifty implants were placed, ranging between 1 to 8 implants per patient. Median implant length was 13 mm (range, 10 to 13 mm) and median implant diameter was 3.75 mm (range, 3.75 to 5 mm). Mean insertion torque was 43 NCm ± 6.2 SD (range 30 to 50 NCm). Mean implant stability quotient was 71 ± 11 (range 37 to 85). One implant in a patient who smoked and three implants in another patient who smoked failed for a total of four failed implants. At 12 months, the overall survival rate was 92% (100% and 73% among nonsmokers and smokers, respectively). Conclusions: The survival of immediately restored dental implants in periodontally treated patients is greater than 90%. Smokers with a past history of chronic periodontitis seem to have a lower implant survival rate. Keywords: bone loss, implant failure, implant success, implant survival, periodontitis