Short-term evaluation of mini-implant retained removable partial denture.

Abstract

Objective: Mini-implants have been used for various purposes and the survival rate was not different from regular implants when they were used as a single tooth replacement. An analysis of mini-implant retained removable partial dentures (RPD) was never reported. The purposes of the present study were to evaluate mini-implant (2.8-mm-diameter) retained RPD in the short period and to compare patient satisfaction before and after treatment. Material and methods: Nine subjects were given 19 mini-implants to support RPDs. All implants were immediately loaded. Assessments made at recall intervals included: Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), probing depth, and standardized radiographs. Implant statuses were classified into success, satisfactory survival, compromised survival, and failure. Patients were asked to complete questionnaires before and after treatment to evaluate patients' satisfaction. Results: Six implants (31.6%) were considered successful, six implants (31.6%) were satisfactory survival, one implant (5.2%) was in a state of compromised survival, and six implants (31.6%) failed to osseointegrate. None of the implants showed signs of peri-implantitis. Clinical parameters demonstrated that there were no correlations between GI, PI and marginal bone loss. Results indicated increased satisfaction in all patients, especially in functional limitation, physical disability and psychological disability domain. Conclusion: The placement of mini-implant to help support removable partial dentures can improve patient’s satisfaction of the denture in various aspects. However, due to reduced bone to implant contact of mini-implant, the high failure rate was found. Therefore it could not be recommended to be use as a routine procedure.