Esthetic Outcomes of Immediately Loaded Locking Taper Implants in the Anterior Maxilla: A Case Series Study
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the esthetic outcome of single-tooth locking taper connection implants placed in the anterior maxilla following a postextractive nonfunctional loading protocol. This preliminary clinical study involving 16 patients evaluated the results of 21 implants placed in areas with high esthetic value. For each implant the pink esthetic score, white esthetic score, cumulative survival rate, and health status of peri-implant tissues were evaluated. The cumulative survival rate was 100% 2 years after prosthetic loading, and the mean total pink esthetic score/white esthetic score was 16.9 ± 1.14 on a maximum value of 20. There was excellent plaque control in all patients, and inflammation indices were within the norm. Within the limits of this study, this immediate nonfunctional loading protocol seems to be a successful procedure esthetically and for the maintenance of peri-implant soft tissues.
Figure 1. Clinical situation before surgery. Figure 2. Preoperative x ray showing the root fracture on lateral incisor. Figure 3. The atraumatic tooth extraction. Figure 4. The implant positioning immediately after tooth extraction (4 × 11 mm Bicon dental implant). Figure 5. The provisional acrylic crown in situ and the suture. Figure 6. Postoperative x ray showing the correct implant-prosthetic position.
Figures 7 and 8. Clinical and radiographic view at 3 months. Figures 9 and 10. Clinical and radiographic control of the final restoration after 4 months. Figures 11 and 12. Clinical and radiographic control at the 2-year follow-up.
The esthetic results of our study according to the parameters described by Belser27:
insufficient esthetic results = pink esthetic score (PES)/white esthetic score (WES) < 12; adequate esthetic results = 13 > PES/WES < 18; excellent esthetic results = PES/WES > 18.
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