Purpose: To prospectively assess the outcome of immediate rehabilitation of extremely atrophic mandibles by a full-arch fixed bridge anchored to four implants.
Material and methods: Twenty patients with edentulous mandibles were included in the study. Each patient received a full-arch fixed bridge supported by two axial and two distal tilted implants. Prosthetic loading was applied within 48 hours of surgery. Patients were scheduled for follow-up every 6 months up to 2 years and annually until 5 years. Radiographic evaluation of marginal bone level change was performed at 1 year.
Results: All patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year (range 20-48 months, mean 30.1 months). No failures were recorded to date. The 1-year implant survival rate and prosthesis success rate were 100%. Marginal bone loss around axial and tilted implants was similar at 12-month evaluation, being, respectively, 0.6 ± 0.3 (standard deviation) mm and 0.7 ± 0.4 mm. High patient's level of satisfaction was recorded for function, phonetics, and aesthetics.
Conclusion: This technique could be considered a viable treatment option for the rehabilitation of the atrophic mandible.
© 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.