Prospective investigation of the single-crystal sapphire endosteal dental implant in humans: ten-year results.

This study conducted a longitudinal prospective clinical study of the single-crystal sapphire (Al2O3) cylindrical screw-shaped endosteal dental implant, and attempted to establish clinical parameters to evaluate implant success or failure. Twenty-eight mandibular implants (17 patients) were placed. After six weeks' healing, 23 implants in 15 patients served as distal abutments for fixed prostheses (baseline). Implants were evaluated for bleeding index, crevicular fluid volume index, plaque accumulation index, radiographic index, mobility index, and patient comfort. Any implant failing in three of these criteria or implants removed were judged as failures. After 10 years, of the 21 baseline implants recalled (two implants were lost to recall), 17 were fully functional, for an 81% success rate. The use of qualitative and quantitative clinical evaluation parameters as utilized in this study appears to be important and useful in assessments of the clinical serviceability of dental implants. These parameters can be used in human clinical trials as well as in experimental animal studies.