Abstract
Clinical examination of Osteo-Loc Implant (OL), a blade type, applied in our clinic for more than 3 years, is discussed in this article. Materials and Methods: The OL has been applied to 51 cases for more than 3 years postoperatively, and a total of 108 OLs were used. Among them, 71 OLs in 33 cases were observed in this study. These OLs were evaluated according to the method reported by Abe et al., and postoperative shrinkage was also studied.
The formation of deep pockets around the OL was clearly found in g OLs, moderate in 37 OLs and only slight in 25 OLs. As for comparison of the inflammation around the OL with that of other gingiva, 48 OLs were good, and 23 OLs were the same as other gingiva. The mobility of the OL was not remarkable in 62 OLs, moderate in 8, and severe in only one. Slight or no cup state resorption of alveolar bone around the OL was found in 56 OLs. One-third or less of its body length in 9 OLs and two-thirds of it in 6. The results were comprehensively assessed, and were categorized into four grades (Grade 1-4). Sixty OLs were grade 1 (excellent), 4 were grade 2 (good), 7 were grade 3 (fair), but there were no cases in grade 4 (poor). As for shrinkage, no removal of articulating paper was observed in 55 OLs, removal of paper by pulling it strongly in 6 OLs, and easy removal there of in 10 OLs.
In 47 OLs, no complicated systemic diseases were found, but some systemic diseases were found in 24 of them.
As for satisfaction, patients with 15 of the OLs expressed dissatisfaction, but patients with 56 of the OLs did not desire to have the OLs removed.
Discussion:In the cases of maxillary subperiosteal implants, the comprehensive evaluation with grades 1 and 2 was observed in 83.3% as the author previously reported. In the cases of the OLs, it was seen in 90.1%. Shrinkage was found in 14.1% of the OLs. Although specific attention should be given to shrinkage in the OLs, overall the results received from grades 1 and 2 were extremely positive.
