Clinical and radiographic evaluation of early loaded narrow diameter implants - 1-year follow-up

Objective To evaluate the clinical performance of Astra Tech OsseoSpeed™ TX 3.0S implants using one‐stage surgical procedure and early loading in the anterior region. Material and methods This is a prospective, single arm, multi‐centre study. Patients missing teeth at positions 12, 22 and 32–42 were eligible to enter the study. The implants (OsseoSpeed™ TX 3.0S) used in the study were of 3 mm diameter and of different lengths. One‐stage surgery was performed, and healing abutments were used during the 6–10 weeks healing period. Clinical and radiographic examinations were assessed at implant installation, loading and at the 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up visits. Results Ninety‐seven implants were placed in 69 patients at six different study centres in Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The survival rate was 95.9%. No implants have been lost after loading (100% survival rate after loading). Mean marginal bone loss 1 year after installation was 0.065 mm (SD = 1.018). The frequency of bone loss ≥1 mm was 6.6% and 51.3% of the implants demonstrated no bone loss or even bone gain from the surgical visit to the first year follow‐up visit. Mean probing pocket depth and gingival zenith score were stable from crown placement to the 6‐ and 1‐year follow‐up visits. Conclusion Treatment with OsseoSpeed™ TX 3.0S implants is a safe and predictable option in the anterior region where physical space is limited. Minimal marginal bone loss was observed during the first year follow‐up.