This paper describes the 5-year results of a comparative study between Astra Tech and Brånemark system implants. The aim was to compare the systems primarily with regard to bone level changes, and also with regard to other variables of interest. Sixty-six patients with edentulous jaws were included in the study. Randomisation schedules were used to allocate the patients to the two implant systems. 184 Astra Tech implants with a titanium-blasted surface and 187 Brånemark implants with a turned surface were used. The implants were inserted with a two-stage technique and the insertion followed the routines for the respective implant system. All patients were provided with full-arch fixed bridges. All patients were followed up with clinical and radiographic examinations from fixture insertion to the 5-year follow-up. The total mean bone level change in the upper jaw between fixture insertion and the 5-year examination was -1.74+/-0.45 mm at the Astra implants and -1.98+/-0.21 at the Brånemark implants. The corresponding values for the lower jaw were -1.06+/-0.19 for Astra and -1.38+/-0.17 for Brånemark. The major postoperative changes of the marginal bone level took place between fixture insertion and baseline. During this period, there was also a different pattern of bone remodelling between the implant systems. Between baseline (prosthesis connection) and the 5-year examination, the marginal bone level changes were small, with no difference between the implant systems. The implant stability was examined with the supraconstructions removed. At the 5-year examination, the survival rate for Astra Tech implants was 98.4% and for the Brånemark implants it was 94.6%. The difference was not statistically significant.

Treatment with Astra Tech TiOblast implants and Brånemark turned implants supporting full-arch bridges showed generally good clinical results with low numbers of implants with marginal bone loss indicative of peri-implantitis. No significant differences were found between the implant systems after 12-15 years in function.

Early loading seemed to give good results in the anterior part of the mandible. The survival rate of the early-loaded implants did not significantly differ from that of implants inserted with the conventional two-stage procedure, but the mean marginal bone loss around the surviving implants was less with early loading.

Abutment connection with Astra Tech implants was simpler than the corresponding surgery with Brånemark System implants and the survival rate of Astra Tech implants was higher than that of Brånemark system implants.

The survival rates and the marginal bone changes did not differ significantly between the one-stage groups and the control group. The survival rate and the marginal bone changes were similar for one-piece and two-piece implants. Four implants were sufficient to support full fixed prostheses in the mandibles. The Procera All-in-One bridges proved to be of high quality, and no complications were experienced. key words: endosseous implants, nonsubmerged implants, one-piece implants, prospective clinical study, submerged implants