A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHOD FOR EVALUATING IMPLANT SUCCESS - A 5-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE BRANEMARK IMPLANT

A proposed protocol and differentiated success criteria for long-term evaluation of oral implants are presented. The protocol and criteria w ere applied to a retrospective patient material treated during a 1-yea r period and followed for 5 years. The protocol comprised a two-stage analysis of the collected clinical data. First, a quantitative analysi s of the outcome was made using a life table. Based on the information obtained during the follow-up, each implant was categorized into one of three groups: unaccounted for, failure, or survival. A qualitative analysis of the survival group was then performed by active testing ag ainst defined criteria. Depending on the modes of clinical and radiogr aphic examinations and their results, surviving implants were either f urther assigned to one of three success grades or remained in the surv ival group. The data are presented in a four-field table at one level of success. Strict success criteria together with individual stability testing and radiographic examination of each consecutive implant shou ld be used when a new implant system is evaluated or when a new applic ation is explored. Radiography alone and more moderate success criteri a may be used to document routine treatments, provided that an already well-documented implant system is studied.