Titanium-zirconium alloy narrow-diameter implants (Straumann Roxolid(®) ) for the rehabilitation of horizontally deficient edentulous ridges: prospective study on 18 consecutive patient

AIM OF THE STUDY: (i) To evaluate the survival and success rates of the new Roxolid narrow diameter implant placed in horizontally deficient ridges; and (ii) to evaluate the incidence of prosthetic complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a 24-month period (2009-2010) 18 partially or totally edentulous patients received 51 Straumann Roxolid (13 tissue level, 38 bone level) implants. Prosthetic loading of implants was either immediate (four implants; one patient) or delayed (2-12 months after placement; 47 implants; 17 patients). The patients were rehabilitated with either fixed (16 patients; 45 implants) or removable (two patients; six implants) prostheses. RESULTS: All implants successfully achieved osseointegration and all patients completed the planned prosthetic rehabilitation. Peri-implant bone resorption values ranged from 0 to 1 mm at the end of the observation period (range: 3-19 months). Implant survival and success rates were therefore 100%. No prosthetic complications occurred and all implants are still in function; therefore the prosthesis success rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: Narrow diameter implants fabricated with the new titanium-zirconium alloy were demonstrated to be reliable in supporting both fixed and removable prosthetic rehabilitations in horizontally deficient ridges. Implant survival, peri-implant bone resorption, and prosthetic complication rates were consistent with those reported in the literature for standard diameter implants placed in non-deficient edentulous ridges.