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Study documents long-term success of ANKYLOS SynCone concept

11-09-2011 | High success rate of over 94 percent for immediate-loaded, implant-supported prosthesis in the edentulous mandible

The ANYKLOS SynCone concept stands for a patient-friendly option for immediate or delayed prosthetic restoration of the edentulous jaw on prefabricated tapered abutments. At the same time, SynCone provides the wearing comfort and fit of a firmly anchored bridge that can easily be removed for cleaning at any time and hence fulfills the patient's hygiene standards. New study data, published in the third issue of the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI, Quintessenz) in 2011, also attest to the quality of a restoration using the SynCone concept over the long term: according to the current investigation by Romanos, May D. and May S., the success rate of the immediately loaded implants in combination with a removable prosthesis in the mandible is 94.06 percent.¹

Performing the surgical procedure and the prosthetic restoration within around two hours – this is what the SynCone concept makes possible. So, thanks to the suitability of the ANKYLOS implant for immediate loading, practitioners are able to offer their patients either the surgical procedure and prosthetic restoration in one or, alternately, a restoration with the fit of a firmly anchored bridge at a later point in time. At the same time, the latest study results also confirm that the SynCone concept is an important therapeutic option – particularly for older patients. According to the authors, a removable restoration in combination with implants is particularly recommended for this patient group, since this group often finds oral hygiene difficult or their soft and hard tissue volume is generally inadequate.

SynCone Concept Put to the Test: 122 Patients, 488 Implants

In a retrospective study, Romanos, May D. and May S. evaluated the data of 122 patients (of whom 40 were men and 82 were women between 55 and 75 years of age), whose edentulous mandibles were restored using immediately loaded implants; in the process, 84 were placed as immediate implants. Here, the prosthesis, adjusted at the chairside, was supported on four prefabricated tapered abutments. In total, then, 488 ANKYLOS implants had been inserted. Implant placement and immediate prosthetic restoration was performed in accordance with the treatment concept recommended by the manufacturer. All patients were followed up clinically and radiographically for at least one year (between 17 and 129 months).

Results of the evaluation: Only eight implants (1.6 percent) failed to achieve adequate osseointegration. There was crestal bone loss of more than 2 mm in 22 out of the 488 impants (4.3 percent). Hence, the success rate for restoration using the ANKYLOS SynCone concept, as measured using the criteria defined by Albrektsson et al., was 94.06 percent. 

One advantage highlighted by the authors above all here is the exceptional tightness of the tapered connection between the implantat and the abutment, thanks to which, the inflammatory response in the tissues, and hence, potential bone resorption, can be effectively avoided. The patients' peri-implant tissues were in excellent condition, according to the observations of Romanos, and of D. and S. May. Even where the patients' oral hygiene was less than ideal, the tissues were in good condition. Likewise, peri-implant hyperplasia was not observed during the long observation period. Nor did complications, such as fracture or inadequate load-bearing capacity, appear in the prosthetic restoration.

Authors' Conclusion: The combination of an immediate load on implants and an implant-supported telescopic prosthesis is an important therapeutic option for prosthetic restoration of the edentulous mandible, particularly in older patients and in patients with limited manual dexterity.

There was also a positive response on the part of the patients: they were essentially pleased with the stability of their prostheses.

Top Grades for New SynCone Components in a Survey of Users

These positive study results are also reflected in the survey results of the satisfaction with ANKYLOS SynCone among users. These were polled as to the extent to which they have benefitted from the the expanded portfolio of abutments with additional angulation and the extent to which they saw a simplification of the patient restoration here. Alongside the abutments with 4 and 6 degree tapered heads, new abutments in a 5 degree variant, with angulations of 7.5 to 30 degrees, were introduced in 2010. Over 80 percent stated that they were able to restore their patients even more easily using the additional components.

¹ Romanos et al., Treatment Concept of the edentulous Mandible with Prefabricated Telescopic Abutments and Immediate Functional Loading, Int. J. Oral Maxillofac. Implants 2011; 26: 593 – 597