Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term survival rate of dental implants supporting fix reconstruction of severe atrophic edentulous maxillary ridges, immediate versus late implantation.
Methods: The study consisted of 59 consecutive patients, ranging in age from 35 to 89 years (average: 65.2±10.46 years), who received 400 dental implants between the years 2010 and 2015. Data were recorded regarding the survival rate of these implants and the possible contributing factors.
Results: The maximal follow-up was 86 months (mean: 41.9± 22.16 months). Females composed 69.5% of study population. Smoking, past or present, was reported by 39.0% or 23.7% of patients, respectively. Out of the implants; 39.5 % of were placed in the posterior area of the maxilla (15-17, 25-27), 30.0% in the middle (13-14, 23-24) and 30.5 % in the in the anterior area (12-22). Most of the implants (94.25% were >13 mm in length. Immediate placement following extraction was reported in 29.8% of cases. In this period of study, the implant survival rate was 94.7% (21 implants failed). The present study did not reveal a relationship between implant survival rate and diabetes mellitus, smoking, augmentation procedures and area of implantation. The immediate implantation survival rate were significantly higher compare to late implantation.
Conclusions: Implants can serve as a highly predictable procedure with high survival rates for fix-full arch reconstruction of the edentulous maxilla. Immediate implantation has a higher survival rate compare to late implantation. The explanation for this phenomenon might include mechanical and biological reasons.