One-year outcome of narrow diameter blasted implants for rehabilitation of maxillas with knife-edge resorption

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at assessing the clinical outcome of narrow diameter implants in the treatment of knife-edge edentulous maxillas of adequate bone height but inadequate width (class IV of Cawood and Howell). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve consecutive patients (eight women and four men, mean age 58 years) with class IV atrophic edentulous maxillas were included in the study. Seventy-three microthreaded TiO(2)-blasted implants were placed and the resonance frequency measured. All the implants had a diameter of 3.5 mm. After 6 months of submerged healing, fixed implant-supported prostheses were delivered to the patients and resonance frequency and radiographic examinations performed. After the first year of loading, the implant outcome was again evaluated clinically, radiographically and with resonance frequency analysis. RESULTS: All the implants were followed up to 1 year of loading and their survival rate was 100%. Bone loss after 1 year of loading was (mean+/-SD) 0.30+/-0.13 mm. Stability values were (mean+/-SD) 63+/-5.8 ISQ at placement, 60+/-4.7 ISQ at the abutment connection and 61+/-5 ISQ after 1 year of loading. A significant difference resulted between placement and abutment connection values (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: According to the present study, narrow implants may be used to restore edentulous maxillas with atrophies of class IV of Cawood and Howell. When planning the treatment of edentulous maxillas with such a resorption pattern, this possibility has to be considered as an alternative to more demanding grafting techniques.