Retrospective chart analysis on survival rate of fixtures installed at the tuberosity bone for cases with missing unilateral upper molars: a study of 7 cases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the survival rate of implants placed in the maxillary tuberosity region using the fixed prosthesis in partially edentulous cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of implant-treated patients who visited Kyung Pook National University Hospital, 7 partially edentulous patients (2 male and 5 female; mean age, 52.3 years; range, approximately 43 to 65) were selected according to the following criteria: 1) less than 3-mm thickness alveolar bone reaming at the first molar area and 2) 1 to 2 fixture premolars, with the additional implant at the maxillary tuberosity region. For the control group, patients who had nontuberosity areas were selected. After 1 to 7 years, marginal bone level, fixture mobility, and radiolucency of tuberosity fixtures of the fixed prostheses were evaluated by digital panorama (Starpacs, Infinitt, Seoul, Korea).

RESULTS: None of the fixtures of the tuberosity-installed implants for 1 to 7 years failed. The marginal bone level around the implants of the maxillary tuberosity 1 to 6 years (average 3.4 years) after the final prostheses was approximately 0.6 to 1.3 mm, with an average of 0.94 mm.

CONCLUSION: The fixture installation at the maxillary tuberosity using the unilateral partially edentulous implant-fixed prosthesis would be a clinically acceptable treatment module.