Immediate restoration of fixed full-arch prostheses placed on implants in both fresh and healed sockets using the flat one-bridge technique: a 7-year retrospective study

Abstract

Background The aim of this retrospective study was to document the long-term clinical efficacy of a surgical-prosthetic technique (the flat one-bridge technique) involving the immediate restoration of both postextraction and nonpostextraction implants supporting full-arch restorations. Methods Implants were placed by adapting the axis to the available bone. Flat definitive abutments were connected during surgery and never disconnected to compensate for eventual implant disparallelism. Bone grafting was performed when needed. The patients received a screw-retained provisional restoration within 48 h of surgery and a final screw-retained prosthesis within 1 year. Results Sixty-six patients received 494 implants distributed in 75 prostheses. The median follow-up was 86 months (range 82–168 months). Only three implants had failed at the last follow-up. Implant survival was 99.6%. Conclusion The flat one-bridge prosthetic protocol is a viable procedure with excellent long-term outcomes. No difference in clinical success could be observed between postextractive and nonpostextractive implants.

Immediate Functional Loading with Full-Arch Fixed Implant-Retained Rehabilitation in Periodontal Patients: Clinical Study

“…In the present study, the mean marginal bone loss was 1.51 ± 1.16 mm after a 3.5-year follow-up. This marginal bone loss was higher than the results described in other clinical studies of immediate functional loading in fully edentulous patients with a full arch rehabilitation with a 6–9 years follow-up [ 24 , 39 , 40 ]. Smoking habits are an important risk factor for marginal bone loss in patients treated with the immediate functional loading of implants placed in periodontally compromised sites [ 8 , 23 , 41 ].…”

“…This surgical approach may have contributed to the high success rate of the implants. It has been suggested that for the long-term success of a surgical protocol involving the immediate placement a bone augmentation technique with the use of an osteoconductive bone substitute is necessary, as is a resorbable membrane to prevent an extensive bone remodeling of the edentulous ridge [ 39 , 40 ]. Alveolar ridge volume has been improved with the use of different bone substitutes (allografts, xenografts, alloplastics) demonstrating a limited vertical bone loss.…”

“…Alveolar ridge volume has been improved with the use of different bone substitutes (allografts, xenografts, alloplastics) demonstrating a limited vertical bone loss. Moreover, the lower resorbability of the grafting material can also be advantageous, as it minimizes the resorption of the buccal bone [ 39 , 40 ]. A 5-year retrospective study reported the clinical outcomes of eighty-four axial and forty-six tilted immediate implants placed in the extraction sockets of 23 patients according to a four to six implant protocol combined with ridge augmentation and immediate functional loading [ 40 ].…”

“…Both metal–acrylic resin (hybrid) and fixed full-arch metal–porcelain prostheses are possible solutions for the immediate functional loading of implants in edentulous patients. The cumulative survival rate of the prosthesis is very high until 100% [ 39 , 45 ]. However, mechanical–technical complications are frequent, with high percentages that increase over years of use [ 46 , 47 ].…”

Impact of Prosthetic Material and Restoration Type on Peri-Implant Bone Resorption: A Retrospective Analysis in a Romanian Sample

“…In implant-supported fixed prosthetics, dental implants can support individual dental crowns in cases of single-tooth absence [ 15 ] or contribute to the construction of fixed-full arch prostheses [ 16 ]. The materials used for designing implant-supported restorations are continually evolving.…”