An eight-year compilation of clinical results obtained with steri-oss endosseous implants
This article extends by two years previous studies started in 1987 and offers new insights that spring from changes in the overall results and the introduction of some new products (titanium plasma- sprayed (TPS) screws and cylinders and larger-diameter implants). Implant selection was based on the quality and quantity of bone available and the type of prosthesis available. Success of the implants was based on the criteria accepted by the AAP in 1989.
The eight-year success rate showed a clear improvement over the five- and six-year results. The difference in success rates for the various areas has diminished compared with the previous studies as a result of a better understanding of bone dynamics, implant-bearing surfaces, and functional occlusion. As in previous studies, there was a significant difference between the success rate of the titanium screws and that of the hydroxyapatite-coated implants. Despite controversial affirmations about their failures, hydroxyapatite-coated implants performed significantly better in this study than did the uncoated titanium implants. The success rate for the cylindrical TPS implants was even higher than that of the hydroxyapatite-coated implants.
The closer the bone is to type IV, the higher the failure rate. By taking into account the implant- bearing surface, progressive loading and functional occlusion, one can reduce significantly the failure rate in the posterior maxilla by using self-tapping implants, large diameter implants, and the osteotome technique. [C.S.]
Sadoun, A., and M. Le Gall, Compendium, 17:669, 1996