Therapeutic concepts and methods for improving dental implant outcomes. Summary and consensus statements. The 4th EAO Consensus Conference 2015

BACKGROUND: Different therapeutic concepts and methods have been proposed for improving dental implant outcomes in three specific clinical situations: (i) the fresh extraction socket with alveolar ridge preservation protocols; (ii) the posterior maxilla with limited bone height with either the placement of regular-sized implants after sinus elevation and grafting or short dental implants and; (iii) the posterior mandible with limited bone height with either vertical bone augmentation and placement of implants or short dental implants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three systematic reviews, based on randomized and controlled clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy of these different therapeutic modalities in terms of dental implant outcomes.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed for alveolar ridge preservation have shown efficacy in terms of allowing the placement of dental implants and for reducing the need of further augmentation procedures at implant placement. Both therapeutic options, the placement of implants after sinus elevation and grafting or short dental implants, were valid alternatives in the treatment of the posterior maxilla with deficient bone availability, although short implants resulted in fewer complications. Similarly, the placement of implants in vertically augmented bone rendered comparable outcomes with those of short implants in the treatment of the posterior mandible, but short implants resulted in fewer complications.