IMPLANT THERAPY IN PERIODONTALLY COMPROMISED PATIENTS

The present study evaluates the outcome of implant therapy in periodon tally compromised patients in need of additional functional tooth supp ort. A total of 31 Astra(R) implants and 93 ITI Dental Implant System implants were inserted in 19 and 56 patients, respectively. The length of the implants varied between 8 and 14 mm, with 45% being 8 mm and 2 1% being 11 mm or more. Most implants were placed in the maxilla, pred ominantly in the premolar region, while less than 25% were placed in t he mandible. The observation period ranged between 12 and 40 months fo r Astra implants and between 3 and 84 months for ITI implants. At annu al recall visits, 4 sites on all implants were assessed for presence o f plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and radiographic assessm ent of bone loss was performed. A total of 3 implants, all ITI implant s, failed, yielding a 3-year survival rate of 95-100%, depending on ty pe of implant. After 3 years, 76-86% of all implants remained free fro m radiographic bone loss greater than or equal to 1.5 mm. After 5 year s, 55% of the ITI implants remained free from such bone loss. These re sults indicate that periodontally compromised patients, who have exper ienced a considerable loss of alveolar bony support, can be successful ly treated with implants.