A comparison of immediate and delayed dental implant placement in head and neck surgery patients

Publication date: Available online 13 February 2019

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Author(s): Brent Woods, Michael Schenberg, Arun Chandu

Abstract

Purpose

Implant supported dental prostheses offer numerous benefits for patients following ablative procedures of the head and neck region including restoration of function, improved self-esteem and body satisfaction as well as overall quality of life. Increased experience is emerging with immediate placement of implants at the time of ablative surgery, contrasting the traditional delayed approach. We sought to identify variables impacting survival of osseointegrated dental implants in such patients, and to assess the impact of timing of implant insertion (immediate vs delayed) on the time until final prosthesis insertion.

Methods

Implant survival was assessed based on a number of factors: immediate vs delayed implants, benign vs malignant disease, post-operative radiotherapy, smoking status, alcohol status, age, single-stage vs two-stage surgery, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and implant placement into native bone vs into osseous free flap reconstruction. Time to final prosthesis insertion was compared between immediate and delayed implant placement.

Results

The study included 20 patients who received a total of 102 implants (39 immediate, 63 delayed). There was a total of seven failed implants (overall survival 93.14%). There was no statistically significant difference in implant survival between any of the groups assessed. There was, however, a significant reduction in time to final prosthesis insertion for those patients receiving immediate implants compared to those who underwent delayed implant placement (321 days, SE 46.5 vs 726 days, SE 45 days; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Immediate implant placement is an effective approach to the prosthetic rehabilitation of patients undergoing ablative procedures of the jaws, which shortens time to final prosthesis placement without adversely affecting overall implant survival.

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