Abstract
Background & Aim: Studies on the use of narrow-diameter dental implants in the posterior areas are still scarce. The presented randomised controlled trial aimed to assess clinical and radiographic and patient-reported outcomes of using narrow- versus standard-diameter single titanium zirconium (TiZr) implants placed and loaded in posterior sites (premolars and molars) with limited horizontal bone width.
Methods: Participants requiring replacement of single missing posterior tooth with dental implant were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: narrow (3.3 mm) or standard (4.1 mm) diameter implant. The changes in marginal bone level (MBL) were assessed at the time of delivery of definitive crown and after one year of function. Implant stability was measured at placement, 3 and 12 months. Implant success, pink aesthetic score (PES), periodontal parameters, prosthodontic outcomes and patient satisfaction were also evaluated.
Results: A total of 20 participants with 20 implant-supported single crowns completed the 1-year follow-up. All the evaluated implants met the success criteria. The narrow-diameter TiZr implants had a higher bone gain of 0.35 ± 1.02 mm after 1 year of loading compared with only 0.04 ± 0.20 mm for standard-diameter TiZr implants but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.38). There were no statistically significant differences between the two implant groups in terms of PES, periodontal and prosthodontic outcomes.
Conclusions: Narrow- and standard-diameter implants were reliable treatment modalities for replacing single missing posterior tooth with comparable and favourable changes in MBL, implant stability and aesthetic outcomes after one year of function. The findings also showed high patient satisfaction in both implant groups.
Oral presentation.