6-MM-LONG IMPLANTS LOADED WITH FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE RESIN-BONDED FIXED PROSTHESES (FRCRBFDPS). A 5-YEAR PROSPECTIVE STUDY

AIM: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes and the survival rates of fiber-reinforced composite resin-bonded fixed prostheses (FRCRBFDPs) placed in the posterior area supported by two short (6 mm) implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty consecutive patients received 40 SLActive 6-mm-long implants with a diameter of 4.1 mm (n = 29) or 4.8 mm (n = 11). Insertion torques and RFA (Resonance Frequency Analysis) were measured at implant installation. The prosthetic rehabilitation was performed after 8 weeks from insertion with a screw-retained two- or three-unit fixed dental prosthesis fabricated of FRCRBFDPs. Implant survival rates and marginal bone levels were evaluated at various time intervals until 5 years after loading. RESULTS: Two of 20 patients lost four implants supporting two FRCRBFDPs between the second and the third year of follow-up (cumulative survival rate: 90% after 5 years). Four patients suffered a fracture of the prosthetic reconstruction, and the success rate of the rehabilitation was 70% after 5 years. A mean marginal bone loss of 0.30 ± 0.34 mm was found after 5 years of function at the remaining implants. CONCLUSION: The survival of short implants was 90% owing to two bridges losses in the maxilla. However, the success rate of FRCRBFDPs over 5 years was only at 70%