Immediate Occlusal Loading of NanoTite™ Tapered Implants: A Prospective 1-Year Clinical and Radiographic Study

Abstract: Background: During the last decade, high success rates have been reported for implants placed with immediate loading procedures, especially when bone quality and quantity provide good implant stability. In many of these studies, straight-walled implants with moderately rough surfaces were employed. Tapered implants are becoming increasingly more popular due to standardized drilling protocols and reports of high initial primary stability. Purpose: The aim of the present prospective, single center clinical study was to evaluate surface topographical analysis and the clinical and radiographic outcomes of the NanoTite™ (BIOMET 3i, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA) Tapered Implant when used for immediate loading of fixed prostheses and single-tooth restorations. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients who needed implant treatment and met admission criteria agreed to participate in the study and were consecutively enrolled. Surgical implant placement requirements consisted of a final torque of a least 30 Ncm prior to final seating and an implant stability quotient above 55. A total of 139 NanoTite Tapered implants (112 maxillary and 27 mandibular) were placed by one investigator, and the majority of these implants (n = 77/55%) were placed in posterior regions, and in soft bone (n = 90/65%). A total of 57 prosthetic constructions were evaluated consisting of 20 single-tooth restorations, 30 fixed partial dentures, and 7 complete, fixed maxillary restorations. Radiographs were taken at baseline and at 12 months of follow-up. Results: Of the 139 study implants, one implant failure was declared. The overall cumulative survival rate at 1 year is 99.4%. Mean marginal bone resorption is 1.01 mm (SD 0.85) during the first year of function. Conclusion: Although limited to the short follow-up, immediate loading of NanoTite Tapered implants seems to be a viable option in implant rehabilitation, when insertion torque of at least 30 Ncm is achieved. Further studies are needed to authenticate the finding of this study.