Objectives: This multicenter prospective clinical trial investigated immediately provisionalized, anodized, conical connection, tapered implants with platform shifting in maxillary anterior and premolar sites.
Materials and methods: Patients requiring single-tooth implant-supported restorations in maxillary anterior and premolar sites were enrolled. Implants were immediately provisionalized and evaluated at insertion, 6 months, and annually thereafter. Outcome measures were marginal bone level change (ΔMBL), cumulative survival rate (CSR), and success rate, soft-tissue parameters, and oral health impact profile (OHIP). ΔMBL and Pink Esthetic Score were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. CSR was calculated using life table analysis. Other soft-tissue parameters were analyzed using sign tests.
Results: Of 94 enrolled patients (99 implants), 84 (88 implants) attended the 3-year follow-up. After an initial bone loss between implant insertion and 6 months (- 0.92 ± 1.23 mm), bone levels stabilized from 6 months to 3 years (0.13 ± 0.94 mm) with no significant change. The 3-year CSR was 98.9%, and the cumulative success rate was 96.9%. Papilla index scores of 2 or 3 were observed at 88.6% of sites at the 3-year visit compared with 32.8% at implant insertion. Improvements were observed for all other outcomes, including bleeding on probing, esthetics, plaque, and OHIP.
Conclusions: This restorative protocol was associated with high primary stability, patient satisfaction, stable bone levels, and an overall improvement of the soft tissue outcomes over a 3-year period.
Clinical relevance: The presented treatment is a viable option for single-tooth restorations of maxillary anterior teeth and premolars with successful short- to mid-long-term clinical outcomes.
Keywords: Anterior maxilla; Conical connection; Immediate function; Insertion torque; Platform shifting; Single implant.