Long-Term Retrospective Evaluation of Success of Narrow-Diameter Implants in Esthetic Areas: A Consecutive Case Series with 3 to 14 Years Follow-up

This retrospective study reports on the outcome of 19 narrow-diameter implants (NDIs) placed in 14 consecutively treated patients 3 to 14 years postloading. Peri-implant bone remodeling, bone loss, esthetic outcomes, and patient satisfaction with the final restoration were evaluated. No implant failures or prosthetic complications were reported, yielding a 100% survival rate and a 84.2% success rate. All 14 patients reported that they were very satisfied with the esthetic results. The average mesial and distal bone remodeling was 1.99 mm and 1.84 mm, respectively. This represents physiologic bone loss post-implant placement. Only 5 implants presented with bone loss, producing an average mesial and distal bone loss of 0.14 mm and 0.17 mm, respectively. Bone loss was measured on the threads of the implant from the time of restoration to the time of follow-up. The bone loss did not exceed 0.2 mm per year on any implant. These screw-retained NDIs present a cost-effective, esthetically acceptable alternative for restoring limited spaces in the anterior esthetic zone.