Clinical, radiographic, and aesthetic outcomes at two narrow‐diameter implants to replace congenital missing maxillary lateral incisors: A 3‐year prospective, clinical study

Abstract

IntroductionTo present the 3‐year clinical, radiographic, and aesthetic outcomes in patients with congenitally missing lateral incisors rehabilitated with two narrow‐diameter implants (NDIs).MethodsThe original population consisted of 100 patients rehabilitated with a cement‐retained bi‐layered zirconia single‐unit crown supported by either a Ø2.9 mm (Test) or a Ø3.3 mm (Control) NDI (n = 50). At the 1‐ and 3‐year follow‐up (T2, T3), implant survival rate, crestal bone level (CBL) changes, biological, and technical complications were recorded, while the assessment of the aesthetic outcomes was performed using the Copenhagen Index Score.ResultsSeventy‐four patients Ø2.9 mm (n = 39) or Ø3.3 mm (n = 35) reached T3, as 24 patients were lost to follow‐up and 1 implant (Ø3.3 mm) was removed. Throughout the observation period, minimal CBL changes (i.e., <1 mm) were detected between groups. Despite the positive aesthetic scores recorded (i.e., 1–2), at T3 20% of patients rehabilitated with a Ø3.3 mm versus 2.6% of patients Ø2.9 mm displayed an alveolar process deficiency (Score 3). No additional technical and/or mechanical complications were recorded between T2 and T3. Tooth vitality was maintained in all neighboring teeth. Peri‐implant probing depths and plaque scores remained low in both groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionThe use of 2.9 or 3.3 diameter implants showed comparable favorable mid‐term results in terms of survival rate, CBL, and aesthetic outcomes. Hence, clinicians should rely on the use of such NDIs when replacing maxillary lateral incisors.