Prospective Pilot Study of Immediately Provisionalized Restorations of Trabecular Metal-Enhanced Titanium Dental Implants: A 5-Year Follow-Up Report

Abstract

Porous tantalum trabecular metal biomaterial has a similar structure to trabecular bone, and was recently added to titanium dental implants as a surface enhancement. The purpose of this prospective pilot study was to describe 5-year survival results and crestal bone level changes around immediately-provisionalized Trabecular Metal Dental Implants. Eligible patients were adults in need of ≥1 implants in the posterior jaw. A non-occluding single acrylic provisional crown was in place for up to 14 days before final restoration. Clinical evaluations with radiographs were conducted at each follow-up visit (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 to 5 years). The primary endpoint was implant survival, characterized using the Kaplan-Meier method. The secondary endpoint was changes in crestal bone level, evaluated using a paired t-test to compare mean crestal bone levels between the baseline, 6-month, and annual follow-up values. In total, 30 patients (37 implants) were treated. Mean patient age was 45.5 years, and 63% were female. There was one implant failure; cumulative survival at 5 years was 97.2%. After the initial bone loss of 0.40 mm in the first 6 months, there were no statistically significant changes in crestal bone level over time up to 5 years of follow-up.

Osseointegration of Tantalum Trabecular Metal in Titanium Dental Implants: Histological and Micro-CT Study

“…The midsection of the implant is made from a porous tantalum meshwork, which allows for neovascularization and new bone formation directly into the implant [11,17,18]. The coronal and apical sections of the implant are screw-shaped and made from a titanium alloy [19]. The titanium alloy surfaces undergo micro texturing with hydroxyapatite to enhance osseointegration [19].…”

“…The coronal and apical sections of the implant are screw-shaped and made from a titanium alloy [19]. The titanium alloy surfaces undergo micro texturing with hydroxyapatite to enhance osseointegration [19]. The Trabecular Metal dental implant has a similar structure to trabecular bone, allowing for improved biomechanical properties and long-term stability [9,20].…”

Special Issue on Dental Materials: Latest Advances and Prospects

“…Van der Schoor et al [12] described 5-year survival results and crestal bone level changes around immediately provisionalized Trabecular Metal Dental Implants. Clinical evaluations with radiographs were conducted at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 to 5 years.…”