Clinical and radiographic characteristics of single-tooth replacements preceded by local ridge augmentation: a prospective randomized clinical trial

To assess in a randomized-clinical trial the influence of three augmentation techniques (chinbone with or without a Bio-Gide((R)) membrane and Bio-Oss((R)) with a Bio-Gide((R)) membrane) on the clinical and radiographic characteristics of hard and soft tissues around implants and adjacent teeth in the reconstructed maxillary anterior region, up to 1 year after functional loading. Ninety-three patients requesting single-tooth replacement and presenting with a horizontal (bucco-palatinal) bone deficiency were included. After augmentation, 93 ITI-Esthetic(Plus) implants were placed. Clinical variables, standardized photographs and radiographs were analysed to assess the impact on the levels of the marginal gingiva (MGL) and marginal bone (MBL) around implants and adjacent teeth, viz at pre-augmentation, pre-implantation (TPI) and 1 (T(1)) and 12 (T(12)) months after final crown placement. Implant survival was 97.8%. No significant differences were observed in the treatment outcomes of the three augmentation modalities. Combining the three modalities, a slight but significant increase in the implants approximal pocket depth was found between T(1) and T(12). Approximal bone loss at the implant between T(1) and T(12) was 0.14 +/- 0.76 mm (mesial) and 0.14 +/- 0.47 mm (distal); the approximal MGL slightly increased (mesial: 0.24 +/- 0.46 mm, distal: 0.25 +/- 0.66 mm), and the buccal MGL decreased (0.11 +/- 0.61 mm). Bone loss at the adjacent teeth, although minor, was significant between TPI and T(1). No correlations were observed in changes of MBL and MGL. None of the three applied augmentation technique procedures influenced the characteristics of the MGL and MBL or the implant survival of single-tooth replacements. Peri-implant hard and soft tissues were very stable in the first year after loading. To cite this article:Meijndert L, Raghoebar GM, Meijer HJA, Vissink A. Clinical and radiographic characteristics of single tooth replacements preceded by local ridge augmentation: a prospective randomized-clinical trial.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 19, 2008; 1295-1303doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2008.01523.x