Background: Aesthetics is a crucial consideration in the anterior region, alongside dental implant survival and marginal bone loss (MBL). Bone-level implants are advantageous in the esthetic zone as they create a natural emergence profile with the use of customized abutments. This study aimed to assess the esthetic outcomes of internally submerged, tapered, bone-level dental implants and to evaluate associated alveolar bone changes.
Methods: Patients received Luna implants (Shinhung, Seoul, Korea) from 2012 to 2020. MBL was measured immediately after surgery and at 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-ups. Pink and White Esthetic Scores (PES/WES) were evaluated after final restoration and at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups using standardized photographs.
Results: Seventy-eight patients (37 males, 41 females) with a mean age of 73.42 years met the study's inclusion criteria. At the 1-year follow-up, the mean MBL was 0.39 ± 0.74 mm on the mesial aspect and -0.09 ± 0.97 mm on the distal aspect. A statistically significant difference in MBL on the mesial aspect was observed between immediate functional loading and the 12-month follow-up (P = 0.029). All implants achieved PES/WES scores of 6 or higher, meeting the threshold for clinical acceptance.
Conclusions: Within the study's limitations, Luna implants demonstrated satisfactory esthetic outcomes and stable bone levels. The results support their use as a viable option for implant placement in the anterior esthetic zone, ensuring both aesthetic and functional success.
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of Mutaz B. Habal, MD.