The clinical and radiographic outcome of implants placed in the posterior maxilla with a guided flapless approach and immediately restored with a provisional rehabilitation: a randomized clinical trial

Objectives To evaluate and compare the outcome of dental implants placed using a flapless protocol and immediate loading with a conventional protocol and loading after 6 weeks. Materials and methods Fourteen patients with bilateral maxillary edentulous areas were treated using Straumann SLA-implants. Using a randomized split-mouth design, implants were placed in one side of the maxilla using a stereolithographic surgical guide for flapless surgery and immediately loaded on temporary abutments with a bridge (test). Implants in the other side were placed using the conventional protocol and loaded after 6 weeks of healing (control). Clinical and radiographic evaluation of peri-implant tissues was performed at time of implant surgery, and after 1 week, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 and 18 months. Results A total of 70 implants were placed (36 test and 34 control). One implant (test) was lost after 3 months, resulting in a survival rate of 97.3% for the test implants and 100% for the control implants. Marginal bone levels were not statistically significantly different between the test and control implants but at baseline the marginal bone level was significantly lower compared to the other evaluation periods (P < 0.05). The mean bone level for test and control implants was 1.95 mm +/- 0.70 and 1.93 mm +/- 0.42 after 18 months, respectively. There was a significant change in height of the attached mucosa at implants placed with a conventional flap between post-operative and 1 week and between 1 week and 6 weeks. Statistically significant differences were found between the test side and the control side for opinion about speech, function, aesthetics, self-confidence and overall appreciation the first 6 weeks. Conclusion Implants can successfully integrate in the posterior maxilla using a flapless approach with immediate loading similar to a conventional protocol. The mucosal tissues around implants placed with a conventional flap changed significantly compared with flapless placed implants. To cite this article:Van de Velde T, Sennerby L, De Bruyn H. The clinical and radiographic outcome of implants placed in the posterior maxilla with a guided flapless approach and immediately restored with a provisional rehabilitation: a randomized clinical trial.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21, 2010; 1223-1233.doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2009.01924.x.