Experience with dental implant patients at Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital

Objective: To present the first experience with dental implants in treating patients with missing teeth at Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital. Methods: Fifty healthy adults aged 22-65 years were selected for the treatm ent, They received a total of 75 titanium alloy, Endo-Pore dental implants during the years 1995-1996, Patients were enrolled in the periodontal and p rosthodontic clinics for screening and oral hygiene phase therapy before im plant surgery, A 2-stage implant surgery technique was used followed by att achment of the prosthetic crown. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were obtained every 3 months after crown attachment for the first year and ever y 6 months for the 2nd and 3rd year. Results: All patients treated with dental implants showed a 100% success ra te, defined clinically as absence of mobility, pain, gingival inflammation or deep pockets, and radiographically as absence of bone resorption. Conclusion: The use of the Endo-Pore dental implant system in treating pati ents with missing teeth is very successful after 2-3 years of follow-up, Pr oper patient selection, surgical technique prosthetic design, maintenance p rogram and patient compliance have contributed to this result.