# Restoration of posterior teeth by narrow diameter implants in hyperglycemic and normoglycemic patients – 4-year results of a case-control study

## TL;DR

This study found that narrow-diameter dental implants performed well in patients with uncontrolled diabetes over four years, similar to non-diabetic patients.

## Contribution

The study shows that narrow-diameter implants can be a viable option for hyperglycemic patients without increased complications.

## Key findings

- Implant survival rate was 100% after 48 months in both diabetic and normoglycemic groups.
- No significant differences in clinical parameters or marginal bone loss between the groups.
- No technical complications were observed in the T2DM group.

## Abstract

To investigate the four-year clinical outcome and marginal bone loss around narrow-diameter implants in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM) and normo-glycemic individuals.

In 11 T2DM patients with a concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) > 6.5% (test group) and 15 normoglycemic patients (HbA1C < 6.0%; control group), one narrow-diameter tissue level implant, placed in the posterior maxilla or mandible, was investigated. The clinical parameters probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), attachment loss (CAL), recession, and papilla bleeding index (PBI) were assessed manually after 24 and 48 months of function. The paired digital periapical radiographs were analyzed regarding the change in marginal bone level (MBL) from baseline to 48 months post-op. The technical complications were recorded.

In the T2DM group, 11 patients were available for follow-ups. The overall implant survival rate after 48 months was 100%. The differences in means for the clinical parameters and the MBL between the T2DM and normo-glycemic patients for the observation period were statistically non-significant. No technical complications were recorded.

The study demonstrated an encouraging clinical outcome with ND implants in patients with uncontrolled T2DM compared to non-diabetics after 48 months’ post loading.

Patients with HbA1C > 6.5% may benefit from the treatment with narrow-diameter implants by avoiding complex surgical interventions with augmentation procedures.

NCT04630691

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-024-05786-0.