Retrospective multicenter analysis of immediate provisionalization using one-piece narrow-diameter (3.0-mm) implants.

D implants have become one of the most predictable and successful means of replacing missing teeth. However, the use of an implant in the incisor areas sometimes presents a challenge. In particular, it is difficult to achieve highly esthetic results using large-diameter implants where there is reduced interradicular bone or a thin alveolar crest to replace teeth with a small cervical diameter. This situation is especially common in the mandibular and maxillary incisor areas.1–4 When the labiolingual dimension is reduced and the amount of available bone is less than 4 mm wide, the placement of an implant of standard width often leads to exposure of the implant threads. In such a situation, the use of small-diameter implants (eg, 3.0 mm in diameter) would enable the dentist to rehabilitate the patient without bone grafting.1,5 To prevent interproximal bone resorption and loss of gingival papilla volume in the esthetic zone, a space of at least 1.5 mm between the implant and each adjacent natural tooth is necessary. 6–10 Therefore, when a 1 Professor and Chairman, Department of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Catholic University Hospital of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea. 2 Resident, Department of Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Catholic University Hospital of Daegu, Daegu, Republic of Korea. 3 Private Practice, Busan, Republic of Korea. 4 Private Practice, PungGak, Gyeongbuk Province, Republic of Korea. 5 Professor, Division of Periodontology, Eastman Dental Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.