Abstract
BACKGROUND: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) has been proven to be a reliable therapy to regenerate missing bone in cases of atrophy of the alveolar crest. The aim of the present retrospective analysis was to assess peri-implant tissue conditions and document peri-implant tissue stability in C-Tech implants when placed simultaneously with a GBR augmentation procedure. METHODS: A total of 47 implants, which were placed simultaneously with a GBR procedure with a synthetic bone substitute material in 20 patients, were investigated clinically and radiologically at least 3 years after loading. Implant survival, the width and thickness of peri-implant keratinized gingiva, probing depth, bleeding on probing (BOP), the Pink Esthetic Score (PES), peri-implant bone loss, and the presence of peri-implant osteolysis were determined. RESULTS: The follow-up investigation revealed a survival rate of 100% and only low median rates for probing depths (2.7 mm) and BOP (30%). The mean PES was 10.1 from the maximum value of 14. No osseous peri-implant defects were obvious, and the mean bone loss was 0.55 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, implants placed in combination with a GBR procedure can achieve long-term stable functionally and esthetically satisfying results for replacing missing teeth in cases of atrophy of the alveolar crest.