The present retrospective study aims to evaluate the impact of cantilever design in the posterior areas of the mandible on clinical, radiographic, and volumetric parameters with an 8-year follow-up.
Implant rehabilitation of posterior edentulous areas of the mandible is very complex because the presence of noble structures, such as the inferior alveolar nerve (NAI), often requires major reconstructive procedures to achieve adequate bone volume before implant placement. To overcome these potential problems and provide patients with sufficient function and esthetics, the use of single-unit crowns (SCs) supported by implants with cantilever extensions was introduced. The length and design of cantilever extensions are associated with possible detrimental effects on implant and prosthetic survival. In light of the above, the objective of the present study is to evaluate the impact of cantilever design in the posterior areas of the mandible on clinical, radiographic, and volumetric parameters with an 8-year follow-up.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
27
AOU Policlinico G. Rodolico
Catania, Italy
Probing Depth of the Peri-implant Pocket (PPD)
It is measured from the mucosal margin to the bottom of the probable peri-implant sulcus and expressed in mm.
Time frame: 8 years
Plaque Index (PI)
Evaluation of Plaque index (PI), expressed as the percentage of positive sites and measured at 4 implant sites (mesio-buccal, mesio-oral, disto-buccal and disto-oral) throught Michigan-grade periodontal probe.
Time frame: 8 years
Keratinized mucosa (KM)
Evaluation of Keratinized mucosa width (KM), measured from the restoration margin to the mucogingival junction and expressed in mm.
Time frame: 8 years
Mucosal recession (MR)
Mucosal recession (MR), of the peri-implant soft tissue, measured from the restoration margin to the mucosal margin and expressed in mm. Coronal from restoration margin is defined as (+) and apical from restoration margin defined as (-);
Time frame: 8 years
Bleeding and/or suppuration on probing (BOP/SUP)
Evaluation of Bleeding and/or suppuration on probing (BOP/SUP), within 30 seconds after probing and expressed as the percentage of positive sites and measured at 4 implantation sites (mesio-buccal, mesio-oral, disto-buccal and disto-oral).
Time frame: 8 years
Volumetric analysis at baseline and after 8 years of follow-up
It was obtained by superimposing the intraoral scans of each patient, performed at baseline and eight years later through an optical scanner (3 Shape TRIOS 3 Germany GmbH), using 3D imaging software. The volumetric differences affecting the peri-implant soft tissues following prosthetic loading were expressed as a percentage and in mm3.
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Time frame: 8 years
Radiographic examination at baseline and after 8 years of follow-up
All patients enrolled in the study underwent periapical radiography performed with the long parallel cone technique at baseline and 8 years after. The measure linear peri-implant marginal bone levels (BML) of single unit crowns (SCs) is the perpendicular distance, expressed in mm, from the mesial and distal edge of the implant shoulder to the first bone-to-implant contact (BIC).
Time frame: 8 years