Early loading of mandibular full‐arch bridges screw retained after 1 week to four to five Monotype® implants: 3‐year results from a prospective multicentre study

Objectives: This prospective multicentre study provides clinical experience up to 3 years to support a simplified treatment for mandibular edentulism within 1 week by using one-stage implant surgery and a screw-retained full-arch bridge. Methods: Two hundred and fifty ITI Monotype® implants were installed in 62 patients out of 66 patients; 60 patients got four implants each and two got five implants. After 1 week, a final bridge was in function. Radiographs were taken as baseline for vertical bone loss up to 3 years post-loading for the whole cluster and specific effects of gender, centre, age, bone class, implant length over time were compiled. Clinical (mPI, SBI) and subjective parameters such as general oral hygiene and patient satisfaction were recorded and repeated at specified intervals up to 3 years. Results: Four patients were excluded at surgery and are not involved in the follow-ups. At 1 year, 61 patients (244 implants) were evaluable and all bridges were in function. After 3 years, 49 patients (194 implants) came to control. Eight patients died during the follow-up period. Three patients lost one implant each. The cumulative implant survival rate was 98.55% and the success rate for the prosthesis was 100%. As calculated from measurable radiographs, the mean bone level at baseline was 1.63±0.78 and at 1 and 3 years 2.50±0.60 and 2.56±0.74, respectively. Using the mixed model analysis and Friedman test, the time in situ, centre and bone class had significant effect on the bone resorption and to some small extent even, the implant length. Gender and age were unaffected. Oral hygiene and patient satisfaction of the treatment were improved. Conclusions: The results indicate that one-part self-tapping sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) implants are suitable for loading within 1 week. In the whole period, the mean bone crestal resorption was <1 mm, which is in agreement with other similar studies.