Outcomes in mandibular vs. maxillary narrow-diameter titanium-zirconium implants

Two narrow-diameter titanium-zirconium implants with stud-attachments showed a highly satisfactory outcome in the mandible. The maxillary implants showed a high failure rate and significantly more bone loss over time than the mandibular implants, according to a study published in Clinical Oral Implants Research.

In the study, researchers examined the Kaplan-Meier survival rates and marginal bone loss of two narrow-diameter titanium-zirconium implants loaded into the canine regions of the maxilla and mandible in 10 patients with complete edentulism. The patients reported being dissatisfied with complete dentures upon enrollment. The researchers then used parallel alignable stud-attachments to place implant-supported overdentures.

After a follow-up of three years, the researchers found that the survival rate of the implants was 100% in the mandible but only 68% in the maxilla. Further, the mandibular implants demonstrated significantly less marginal bone loss compared with the maxillary implants.

The researchers concluded that the minimal concept of two implants and an overdenture should be limited to the edentulous mandible.

Read more: Clinical Oral Implants Research

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