AURICULAR PROSTHESES AND OSSEOINTEGRATED IMPLANTS - UCLA EXPERIENCE

A clinical study of 40 craniofacial implants placed in 13 auricular de fects was conducted over a 6-year period. Implant-retained prostheses were fabricated, the implant success rate was determined, and the soft tissue responses were recorded at regular intervals. All of the impla nts became osseointegrated and none demonstrated failure during the st udy period. A five-point scale was used to record the health of the pe ri-implant soft tissues and the patients were followed up for up to 69 months. The results were as follows: 55.1% of the visit/sites demonst rated an absence of inflammation; 32.3% of the visit/sites demonstrate d slight redness; 4.7% demonstrated red and moist peri-implant tissues ; 5.5% demonstrated granulation tissue associated with the implants; a nd in 2.4% of the implants, infection of the peri-implant soft tissues was noted. Good patient hygiene compliance combined with thin and imm obile peri-implant soft tissues resulted in minimal soft tissue compli cations.