Clinical and radiographic evaluation of implants placed by means of inferior alveolar nerve lateralization: a 5-year follow-up study

ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical and radiological responses of implants placed in combination with inferior alveolar nerve lateralization, analyzing survival and success rates over 5years functional loading. Materials and methodsThis prospective, longitudinal, single-center study recruited 40 patients with mandibular atrophy in the posterior sectors, who underwent lateralization of the inferior alveolar nerve. Three months after surgery and implant placement, the implants were loaded by means of screw-retained implant-supported partial prostheses or fixed complete prostheses. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed immediately after implant placement and at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60-month follow-up visits. ResultsThe 40 patients received a total of 129 implants (Phibo TSA, Phibo Dental Solutions, Sentmenat, Barcelona, Spain). Two implants were lost in the first month after surgery, generating an implant cumulative survival rate (CSR) of 98.44%. The success rate after 5years of loading was 98.44%. No intra-operative or postoperative soft tissue or prosthetic complications occurred during the 5-year follow-up. ConclusionsInferior alveolar nerve lateralization performed to allow placement of (Phibo TSA) implants in patients with mandibular atrophy obtained predictable clinical and radiological results over five years of functional loading.