SURGICAL DETERMINANTS OF CLINICAL SUCCESS OF OSSEOINTEGRATED ORAL IMPLANTS - A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Purpose: This article reviews the current knowledge about the influenc e of surgical factors on implant failure in routine cases and in those where implants have been used in conjunction with bone augmentation p rocedures. Materials and Methods: Clinical reports published in major scientific journals served as the basis for this review. Results: With few exceptions, most clinical reports were on screw-shaped titanium i mplants. High failure rates are associated with poor bone quality and the use of short implants in the athrophic maxilla, irradiation, and b one-grafting procedures of the athrophic maxilla. Evidence for high lo ng-term failure rates of press-fit cylinders was found. Moreover, limi ted clinical experience, lack of preoperative antibiotics, and smoking may lead to higher failure rates. Conclusion: There is a need for fur ther research to increase the success rates in the severly resorbed ma xilla. Because of a lack of proper documentation with respect to the g reat majority of currently used oral implant designs, the influence of different factors and their long-term results remain unknown.