Dental implants-placed in grafted alveolar cleft sites can be successful

Alveolar bone grafting is a commonly performed procedure at sites with orofacial clefts that involve the alveolar bone (alveolar clefts). Patients with an alveolar cleft often present with a missing tooth or teeth at the affected sites and require dental implant–based rehabilitation. Based on the available data (78 implants placed in 64 patients with grafted alveolar clefts), this retrospective cohort study reported an implant survival rate of 95% at the median follow-up period of 46 months. Most implant failures occurred in a very small group of patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the survival rate of dental implants inserted in an alveolar cleft area where one or more bone graft procedures were performed and to identify possible factors that affect the survival rate.

The data from 78 implants placed in 64 patients with grafted alveolar clefts were analysed retrospectively. Statistical analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank tests and univariable Cox proportional hazard models.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period from insertion to the last follow-up appointment was 46 months (IQR: 29-79.3). In five patients, a single implant failed. This resulted in a cumulative survival rate of 95.0% at the median follow-up. The factors investigated in this study did not significantly affect implant survival.

Dental implants placed in patients with alveolar clefts are a reliable treatment option for dental rehabilitation.

Reference:

van Putten, Y., Rozeboom, A. V. J., Strabbing, E. M., Koudstaal, M. J., & Tahmaseb, A. (2023). A retrospective cohort study on dental implant survival in patients with grafted alveolar clefts. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 00, 1– 9. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.14071

Keywords:

Dental, implants-placed, in, grafted, alveolar cleft, sites, successful, Clinical oral implants research, van Putten, Y., Rozeboom, A. V. J., Strabbing, E. M., Koudstaal, M. J., & Tahmaseb, A.