Long-term outcomes of implants placed after vertical alveolar ridge augmentation in partially edentulous patients: a 10-year prospective clinical study

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical results around non-submerged implants placed after vertical alveolar ridge augmentation. Material and methodsThe original population consisted of two groups of partially edentulous patients (Clinical Oral Implants Research, 15, 2004, 73; Clinical Oral Implants Research, 18, 2007, 286), receiving a total of 82 implants, after a vertical bone augmentation of at least 4mm. Following cementation of the fixed dental prostheses, patients were asked to follow an individualized supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) program for an appropriate clinical and radiographic follow-up. ResultsAt the 10-year examination, seven of the 41 patients were lost to follow-up. During SPT, additional antibiotic and/or surgical therapy was necessary in 18 implants, and four of these implants were removed for biological complications. The overall implant survival rate was 94.1%. The mean interproximal bone loss (BL) was 0.580.57mm. ConclusionsThe results of this study confirmed that implants, placed after vertical augmentation and followed by an adequate SPT, offer predictable long-term results. Nevertheless, patients whose bone atrophy was consequence of a previous history of periodontitis presented a statistically significant greater BL.