Evaluation of extra‐narrow diameter implants in the oral rehabilitation of young patients after oral trauma: A prospective study

Abstract

AbstractBackground/AimOral trauma is a common event in young patients and can lead to tooth loss, especially after avulsion of a tooth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the survival, esthetic outcomes, ridge preservation, and patient satisfaction of extra‐narrow diameter implants (NDIs) as a temporary rehabilitation treatment for young patients who had lost permanent maxillary incisors after an avulsion.Materials and MethodsThis study comprised a prospective clinical and experimental study on a case series of 13 patients (age: 10–14 years) with a history of avulsion of one or more maxillary incisors. The patients received 19 mini‐drive locks implants (Intralock) with acrylic resin crowns, divided into two evaluation arms: immediate implant placement (n = 10) and delayed implant placement (n = 9). The cases were followed up every 3 months with an initial tomography (T0) before implant placement and after 1 year (T1). The clinical stability of the implant in the bone and the retention of the provisional implant crown were evaluated, and the esthetic index was calculated at each follow‐up. Intragroup and intergroup differences in alveolar ridge height and thickness were compared at T0 and T1, and a questionnaire was administered to assess the patient's perception of the treatment.ResultsThe implant survival rate after 1 year was 78.9%. Alveolar ridge height and thickness increased in all cases at T1 (p < .05). Patients who received immediate implants had greater initial and final alveolar ridge thickness. The esthetic index progressively increased over the investigated time period (p = .001). Only one female patient presented with crown infraocclusion after 1 year. The patients' esthetic perceptions of their smiles significantly improved after treatment (p = .001).ConclusionsExtra‐NDI had good survival rates, were effective at maintaining alveolar bone, and promoted aesthetic recovery and patient satisfaction with treatment during the period studied.