Single tooth replacement by Morse taper connection implants: A retrospective study of 80 implants

The goal of this study was to provide data relative to the use of a new imp lant system (Mac System, Cabon, Milan, Italy) with a Morse taper implant-ab utment connection for single implant restorations. The implant system is co mposed of an endosseous screw made of commercially pure titanium grade 2, w hile the abutment is titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V). A total of 80 single impla nts were placed in 69 patients (36 women and 33 men, mean age 42 years, ran ge 16 to 61). All patients gave their informed consent and received a thoro ugh clinical and radiographic examination. Smokers and diabetics were exclu ded from the study. Three implants were placed in areas of previous tooth i mpaction, 5 were placed in posttraumatic edentulous areas, 2 were used in s ituations involving tooth agenesis, and 60 replaced teeth lost because of c aries or periodontal disease. All patients were edentulous for at least 1 y ear prior to treatment. The implants received a definitive prosthesis and h ad been in function for a mean period of 3.5 years. At second-stage surgery , 2 implants were removed because of lack of osseointegration. After 2 year s of loading, 1 implant showed evidence of peri-implantitis and was removed . In addition, 2 fractured abutments and 1 loosened abutment were observed. Few mechanical or infectious complications were seen, and this may have be en the result of high stability of the conical connection.