Immediate Loading of Tantalum-based Immediate Implants with Buccal Bone Deficiencies

Objectives: Immediate implant placement into fresh extraction sockets especially in the esthetic area reduces treatment time and increases patient comfort.
This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of single-tooth hybrid titanium dental implants after immediate placement with partial buccal bone deficiencies and occlusal loading.
Methods: A retrospective review of patient records after informed consent was conducted. Single, non-restorable teeth were atraumatically extracted using a flapless technique. Reasons for extraction included crown/root fractures, or endodontic failures. Tantalum-based implants were lingually placed 3-4 mm apically to the free gingival margin in fresh extraction sockets and the gap around the implants was graftedafter placement of a resorbable membrane within the socket. The length of the implants ranged from 10-13 mm and the implant diameter ranged from 3.75 to 4.7 mm. A temporary crown (made by acrylic resin) screwed immediately after surgery and placed into occlusion. Four monthslater, implants were definitively restored with glass ceramic crowns.
Results: Fourteenpatients were treated for one non-restorable tooth (n=14). Allimplantswere placed in maxillary sites with Type III-bone quality. The implant insertion torque levels were >40 Ncm and the mean ISQ values 72.5immediately after placement. Pink Esthetic Scores were 13.8after 6monthsand 13.7after 12-months, respectively. Mean crestal bone loss was 0.38±0.24 mm (6months)and 0.67±0.26 mm (1-year). Implant survival and success rates were 100% within the 1 year-follow-up period. There were no recorded complications. All patients reported full satisfaction for mastication function, phonetics, and esthetics.
Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, the use of Tantalum-based implants inpost-extraction sockets with partial bone deficiencies and immediate provisional restoration is a safe and predictable procedure maintaining hard and soft tissues for one year.