Early Loading Maxillary Cresco Full Arch Reconstructions. An RCT trial

Objectives: Appraise the feasibility of interchanging conventional components of a fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) with those of Cresco in two different early loading protocols. Methods: In five centers located in Norway and Sweden patients with an edentulous, fully healed maxilla were recruited to partake in a three-arm blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT). Each patient received 5/6 implants to support a 10/12-unit FDP. The implants used were SLA solid screw two-part implants (Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland). In test groups 1 and 2 components from Cresco (Cresco Ti Systems, Sarl, Lausanne, Switzerland) were used and the implants loaded 10 days or 6-8 weeks post-implant placement. Group 3 received their FDP fabricated with conventional components 6-8 weeks post-implant placement. Patients were followed up 3 years. Results: Of 36 patients 30 remained after 3 years. The adjusted means and ranges of changes in crestal bone levels were -0.65 mm, -0.5 mm and -0.40 mm in groups 1,2 and 3 respectively. The change from baseline was statistically significant in all treatment groups. Adjusting for the difference in implant depth, there was an expected additional change in bone level of -0.29 mm by each 1 mm the implant was placed deeper. There was no significant difference between the 6-8 weeks post-implant placement loading Cresco group versus and the control group or between the two Cresco groups. Conclusion: The vertical placement has more effect on bone loss overthan the fabrication technique used for the suprastructure and whether the implants were loaded after 10 days versus 6 to 8 weeks. Supported by Institut Straumann, Switzerland.