Retrospective Survival Study of Trabecular Tantalum Implants: Immediate Flapless Placement in Posterior Extraction Sockets.

A retrospective review of patient records was conducted in a single private practice to evaluate the efficacy of immediately placing a novel implant design in posterior jaw locations using a flapless technique. Forty-two patients (22 males, 20 females) with a mean (SD) age of 60.2 (7.6) years (range = 31-68) presented with 1-2 non-restorable molar (maxillary = 14; mandibular = 8) or premolar (maxillary = 20; mandibular = 1) teeth compromised by periodontal disease, endodontic failure, root resorption, root fracture or severe caries. Most patients (78.6%) had moderate (66.7%) or severe (11.9%) periodontitis. Other comorbidities included smoking (14.3%) and controlled diabetes mellitus (11.9%). After atraumatic extraction, teeth were immediately replaced with a total of 44 trabecular tantalum implants (Trabecular Metal Implants) (diameters = 3.7-4.7 mm; lengths = 10-13 mm). Sites requiring augmentation were treated with 3 types of small-particle (250-1000 μm), mineralized, solvent-dehydrated, allografts (Puros) based on location: cortical for crestal sinus grafts, cancellous for periimplant voids in thick tissue biotypes, or cortical-cancellous (70:30) mix for periimplant voids in thin tissue biotypes. Cortical particulate was used when slower resorption was needed to help maintain graft volume for esthetics or implant support. Grafts were covered with resorbable bovine pericardium membranes (CopiOs). One asymptomatic implant failed to osseointegrate. Cumulative implant survival and success rates were 97.7%, respectively, with a mean (±SD) follow-up time of 25.0±12.1 months (range = 4-48). Within the limitations of this study, implants achieved outcomes comparable to conventionally placed and restored single-tooth implants in anterior jaw locations.