Immediate loading of implants inserted in edentulous arches using multiple mucosa-supported stereolithographic surgical templates: a 10-year prospective cohort study

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate survival and marginal bone loss at 10-year follow-up of implants inserted in completely edentulous arches and immediately loaded using multiple mucosa-supported stereolithographic surgical templates. The influence on marginal bone loss of the following variables was evaluated: sex, smoking habit, arch, implant position, implant diameter, and implant length. Prosthesis survival and success were also determined. STROBE guidelines were followed. One hundred and eighty-eight implants were inserted in 16 consecutively selected patients using a prefabricated metal-reinforced full-arch provisional acrylic restoration. The definitive metal–ceramic full-arch prosthesis was delivered within 2 weeks. Kappa statistics, two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni adjusted post hoc test, one-way ANOVA with Tukey's range test, and unpaired Student t-tests were used for the analysis. Four implants failed during the first year of function (maxilla 3, mandible 1), leading to a 10-year survival rate of 97.9%. The mean marginal bone loss after 10 years was 0.76 mm. The marginal bone changes were found not to be influenced significantly by the variables evaluated (P > 0.05). The prosthetic success rate was 66.7%; no prosthesis failures occurred. In conclusion the technique described is a predictable treatment option with high survival in the long-term follow-up.