Dental Implant Design and Optimal Treatment Outcomes

Whereas the majority of endosseous dental implants have threaded screw geometries, press-fit implants with a sintered porous surface (SPS) geometry integrate via three-dimensional bone ingrowth. These two classes of implants are suited for different site conditions and, when used appropriately, will provide optimal and minimally invasive treatment protocols. The present report argues that generally, threaded screw implants perform best in long lengths (with a "defined intrabony length" above 8 mm) and denser bone, while press-fit SPS implants perform optimally at short lengths ("defined intrabony length" of 5 mm or less) and in primarily cancellous bone. Threaded implants are more appropriate for immediate placement and immediate loading, while press-fit SPS implants perform well in resorbed posterior sites, including maxillary sites with as little as 3 mm of subantral bone. Understanding the benefits and limitations of these two implant concepts is key to successful and minimally invasive implant treatment.