Evaluation of Peri-implant Tissue Stability and Patient Satisfaction After Immediate Implant Placement in the Esthetic Area: A 3-Year Follow-up of an Ongoing Prospective Study

Horizontal and vertical reduction of the ridge has to be expected after tooth extraction. Immediate implant placement and provisionalization is a viable treatment option that can help to minimize those changes. Additionally, it can better meet a patient's expectations about the treatment, reducing time and invasiveness. The aim of this prospective study is to evaluate the stability of the hard and soft tissues surrounding single immediate implants placed in the esthetic zone, as well as evaluating patient satisfaction. A total of 16 implants were placed, and 15 could be evaluated at the 3-year follow-up. Radiographic and clinical data was recorded after this period. Some marginal bone level reduction was detected after 3 years but was not statistically significant. The soft tissues, measured at 3 points, showed stability and even better positions with respect to the day of the final restoration placement. Patient satisfaction was analyzed using the modified Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14), and high satisfaction values were reported. The implementation of a precise surgical and prosthetic protocol when an immediate implant is placed into a fresh extraction socket is likely to result in high survival and success rates combined with excellent patient satisfaction. After the 3-year follow-up, favorable results were present.