Long-Term Success in Dental Implant Revisions: A 31-Year Case Study of Alveolar Atrophy Management in an Elderly Woman.

BACKGROUND In the early 1980s, Brånemark described the use of cylindrical titanium dental implants integrated with bone. Since then, significant advances in dental implant technology have resulted in improved function and cosmetic appearance. This report describes an 87-year-old woman with a 31-year history of revision implant dentistry, initially for severe alveolar atrophy of the premolar and upper molar teeth. CASE REPORT In 1992, a severe alveolar atrophy of the upper premolar and molar areas was treated with the insertion of 4 fixtures in the frontal sector and a prosthesis superimposed anchored to the fixtures and with a rear support on the only surviving teeth. In 2004, the teeth were extracted and a distal support to the prosthesis was obtained with 2 fixtures in the maxillary tuberosity. In 2018, to eliminate the need for home removal of the prosthesis, 2 zygomatic fixtures were positioned and a fixed prosthesis was made. In 2023, at the last follow-up, satisfactory function and aesthetics of the prosthesis were reported and the bone levels at the fixtures appeared stable. CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrates the improvements in dental implant technology over more than 30 years in a single patient and highlights the importance of improved function and cosmetic appearance.