A prospective 5-year multicenter study of the Cresco implantology concept.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic outcome of a prospective 5-year longitudinal multicenter test of a simplified implantology concept comprising an abutment-free implant system (Cresco) and a new method for fabrication of passively fitting superstructures, the Cresco Ti Precision method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The tests were carried out at three different centers. Sixty partially or completely edentulous patients were restored by fixed implant-supported superstructures fabricated according to the Cresco Ti Precision method. In all, 215 Cresco implants were placed for the support of the superstructures. For various reasons, eight patients (13%) could not be followed through the 5 years. The radiographic measurements were recorded from radiographs exposed perpendicular to the implants.

RESULTS

The initial implant failure rate (during the healing phase) was 2%, and the survival rate after loading was 98%. The mean peri-implant bone loss was 0.29 mm (SD 0.57). Of the measured sites, 71% showed a crestal bone loss of less than 0.5 mm. Very few mechanical complications were observed. This was attributed to the passively fitting superstructures.

CONCLUSION

The results from the present multicenter test demonstrated that the abutment-free Cresco implantology concept is a reliable alternative method for implant-supported fixed prosthetic rehabilitation of edentulous and partially edentulous jaws.