Crestal bone level changes and survival of immediately placed extra-wide diameter implants in posterior molar sites: A prospective clinical study

Objectives: To evaluate crestal bone level changes and survival of immediately placed extra-wide diameter implants in posterior molar sites. Material and Methods: This prospective clinical study included 30 patients requiring molar extraction and implant placement, with 28 patients completing follow-up. A total of 29 implants were placed immediately following atraumatic extraction and positioned subcrestally. Crestal bone levels were measured radiographically at placement and at a minimum of 1-year post-restoration using calibrated ImageJ analysis. Results: The mean crestal bone level was 1.28 mm at placement and 0.46 mm at follow-up, with a mean change of 0.82 mm (95% confidence intervals: 0.34–1.29 mm). This difference was statistically significant ( p = 0.001). Despite this change, crestal bone levels remained coronal to the implant platform at follow-up. One implant failure occurred, resulting in a survival rate of 96.5%. Conclusion: Immediate placement of extra-wide diameter implants in posterior molar sites demonstrated high survival rates and maintenance of crestal bone levels above the implant platform, suggesting this approach is a predictable treatment option.