Abstract
Objective
To assess clinical, aesthetic, and quality-of-life parameters of cleft lip and palate patients' implant-supported crowns with ITI Straumann nonsubmerged and loaded after 3 months implants.
Patients, Material, and Methods
In 17 bone-grafted cleft patients, 24 implants were placed nonsubmerged, loaded at 3 months to support crowns in the cleft area, and followed up at 40 months on average (±22 months). The oral-health–related quality of life was assessed in all patients with the German Oral Health Impact Profile after implant therapy. Aesthetics were judged on photographs by dental professionals, nonprofessionals, and the patients themselves. The Implant Crown Aesthetic Index served as an objective tool.
Results
A total of 23 implants (95.8%) were loaded and in function. Clinical parameters were marginal bone loss of 1.15 ± 2.16 mm, peri-implant probing depth of 2.56 ± 0.66 mm, width of keratinized mucosa of 2.71 ± 1.1 mm, mucosal recession of 0.41 ± 0.8 mm, Periotest value of 0.18 ± 6.5, and German Oral Health Impact Profile summary score of 2. The best aesthetic outcome was assessed by the patients themselves. Soft tissues were rated worse than were implant-supported crowns.
Conclusions
Implant-borne prosthetic rehabilitation of bone-grafted clefts with nonsubmerged ITI Straumann implants with 3 months' loading represents a reliable treatment option with high success rates in the long term. Functional aspects are comparable to those of noncleft patients. The oral-health–related quality of life of cleft patients is similar to that of noncleft patients. Aesthetics are restricted but satisfactory to patients and dental professionals. Aesthetics of peri-implant soft tissues should be improved in the future.
Keywords
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