Long‐term outcomes from implants installed by using split‐crest technique in posterior maxillae: 10 years of follow‐up

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present 10-year retrospective study was to evaluate the success and survival rates of narrow diameter implants (NDIs) placed in combination with a split-crest technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one healthy individuals who received prosthetic rehabilitation supported by narrow diameter implants (NDIs) installed in atrophic maxillary posterior areas immediately after split-crest procedure were included in the study. Six to eight weeks after implant placement, the prosthetic rehabilitations were delivered. Periapical radiographs were taken at the 6-month and 10-year time interval after implant loading to assess bone marginal level around the implants. In addition, survival and success indexes were also obtained at these time intervals. RESULTS: Forty NDIs were placed in 21 patients. At the end of the 10-year follow-up period, seven patients had dropped out, two implants were lost, and nine prostheses presented some type of deficiency (ceramic fracture or retaining screw fracture). At the 10-year time interval, the implant survival rate was 97% and the success rate was 95%. The marginal bone loss at the 6-month and 10-year time intervals was, respectively, 0.47 (SD 0.91) mm and 1.93 (SD 0.93) mm. CONCLUSION: Narrow diameter implants installed immediately after split-crest procedure may successfully support prosthetic rehabilitations after long-time intervals.