Astra Tech, Branemark, and ITI Implants in the Rehabilitation of Partial Edentulism: Two-Year Results

Purpose: To explore the soft tissue, marginal bone, and prosthetic complications (if any) of Astra Tech, Branemark, and ITI implants supporting fixed prostheses during an observation period of 2 years. Materials: The study comprised 26 patients, who received 42 Astra Tech, 36 Branemark, and 29 ITI implants. After 3 months of healing, abutment connections were performed for Astra Tech and Branemark implants, and fixed prostheses were delivered to the patients at 4 months. At 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year recall appointments, plaque index, periimplant inflammation index, and bleeding index scores, were recorded. The marginal bone levels were also measured at 2-year recall by means of radiographic evaluation, and prosthetic complications were recorded throughout the study. Results: All implants survived during the 2-year observation period. The plaque index and periimplant inflammation index scores around Branemark implants were higher than ITI and Astra Tech implants in the first year of function (P > 0.05). Marginal bone loss around ITI and Astra Tech implants was similar at 2 years (P > 0.05). The marginal bone loss around Branemark implants was higher than Astra Tech implants (P > 0.05) but similar to ITI implants at 2-year recall appointment (P > 0.05). Fixed prostheses supported by ITI and Astra Tech implants did not experience prosthetic complications, and only 1 patient of the Branemark group had porcelain veneer fracture. Conclusions: Astra Tech, Branemark, and ITI implants supporting fixed prostheses had same survival rates (100%) in this study. ITI and Astra Tech implants had similar changes in marginal bone levels, whereas Branemark implants had higher marginal bone loss, particularly in the first year of function. (Implant Dent 2010;19:437-446)