Evaluation Of Marginal Bone With Flapless Surgery In PrimaConnex^® Implants

Crestal marginal bone level stability is a critical factor that affect the longevity and the peri-implantitis risk for a number of implants. Less-invasive techniques have been proposed to reduce the risk for a fast crestal bone reduction but only few informations are today available for PrimaConnex Implants®(Keystone Dental, Inc., Burlington, MA, U.S.A.).

The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to compare single implants installed with a Surgical Flap (SF) or Flapless (FL) surgery. Survival rate and crestal marginal bone preservation after 3, 6, 12 and at least 24 months were evaluated. 

Method:

A total of 65 PrimaConnex^®implants (44SF and 21FL) were placed in 27 patients (13 males;14 females, mean age 44.2±7.8) and radiographically examined. The marginal crestal level was measured from the first spiral by a digital caliper after 3,6,12 and 24 months from placement. All the implants were loaded after 3 months from their insertion.

Result:

The overall survival rate was 97% and the overall mean bone loss after an average of 24 months was 1.1mm (SD=0,9).  No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups after 3,6,12, and 24 months.

However, at 24 months, SF technique demonstrated higher bone loss rate than the FL technique  (1.1mm versus 0.6mm ) but even this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.139). 

Conclusion:

Single PrimaConnex^® Keystone implants yield an excellent prognosis with stable bone levels irrespective of the surgical technique. Free-handed flapless surgery is a viable alternative to more extensively surgery with the elevation of a surgical flap. Proper case selection and clinical experience are considered prerequisites for a predictable treatment outcome.