Evaluation of the treatment of partially edentulous patients with bone level tapered implants: 24-month clinical and radiographic follow-up.

The aim of this study was to assess, over a period of 24 months, the clinical and radiographic outcomes in partially edentulous patients receiving bone level tapered (BLT) implants. 33 partially edentulous patients and 50 implants were evaluated. Subjects received single or multiple implants in the posterior maxilla. Clinical and radiographic measurements of vertical bone levels were assessed at surgery, at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. The success and survival rates of the implants were also evaluated. Within the 24-month follow-up, only one implant failed (2.0%). Other biological or technical complications were not observed. The mean insertion torque was 34+/-5.3 Ncm. Bone level changes of 0.35+/-0.23mm were found between surgery and 12 months after surgery, and 0.03+/-0.05 mm between 12 months and 24 months after surgery. The overall change from surgery to 24 months after implant placement was 0.38+/-0.24 mm. Most of the bone loss occurred between surgery and 3 months (0.28+/-0.19mm; p<0.001), thereafter the loss was minimal and statistically non-significant. BLT implants yielded a high survival and success rate with minimal bone level changes. Within the limitations of this study, bone level tapered implants presented high survival and success rates without mechanical or biological complications after loading and minimal marginal bone. These observations indicate that tapered implants seem to be suitable for different clinical scenarios.