Hybrid implants in the dental rehabilitation of posterior maxilla: A prospective clinical evaluation

Abstract

Context: Implant-retained prosthodontic rehabilitation of the posterior maxilla poses a unique challenge due to deficiency in bony characteristics in many cases, thereby requiring elaborate adjunctive surgical procedures to aid in implant placement. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hybrid implants in the prosthodontic rehabilitation of edentulous posterior maxilla. Subjects and Methods: Prospective clinical evaluation of 27 patients (30 implants) rehabilitated using hybrid implants at 1 and 4 weeks after implant placement and 3, 6, and 12 months after functional loading was conducted. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics were used for statistical analysis. Results: The average pain score on the Visual Analog Scale was 4.53 and 0.76 at the end of 1st week and 4 weeks. Four implants (13.33%) were found unstable by 4 weeks. Two implants (6.67%) had exposure by 12 months. Less than 1 mm of mobility was seen in one implant (3.33%) by 3 months, four implants (13.33%) by 6 months, and five implants (16.67%) by 12 months. One implant (3.33%) developed mobility up to 2 mm by 12 months. Seven implants (23.33%) showed a probing depth of ≥5 mm but none more than 6 mm. Gingival recession of 2 and 3 mm was seen in two implants (6.67%) and one implant (3.33%), respectively, at the end of 12 months. The average bone loss was 0.17, 0.31, and 0.46 mm by 3, 6, and 12 months. The average rate of bone loss was 0.02 mm per month. Conclusions: Hybrid implant is an excellent alternative in patients with inadequate bone in the posterior maxilla precluding the requirement of maxillary sinus lift and grafting.