The Ankylos implant system has remained largely unchanged in design and function since its launch in 1987. Read about studies that confirm the clinical long-term success of this system.

Studies confirm the clinical long-term success of the Ankylos implant system

Implant dentistry supports dental professionals with a wide range of therapy options to restore function and esthetics with good predictable results. Certain requirements have to be met by the treating surgical and restorative and the implant system they use in order to achieve these good results. Long-term success of implant-supported reconstructions with optimal function and esthetics require mechanical stability, osseointegration and, in particular, peri-implant hard and soft tissue that is free of inflammation. Short-term success can now be achieved with almost any established implant system available. However, clinical long-term evaluations over more than 10 or 15 years are very rare. Such long-term studies are often lacking mainly because the design, geometry or surface of most implant systems undergo major changes within short time periods, which makes monitoring and evaluation of a sufficient number of the same implant over a longer time period nearly impossible.

A long-term study published by Krebs et al on the Ankylos implant system investigated a total of 12,737 implants placed between 1991 and 2011 in 4,206 patients at the University Dental Clinic in Frankfurt, Germany, and shows a cumulative survival rate of 93.3 %. This comprehensive study on the Ankylos implant system was possible because the system has remained largely unchanged with regard to design and function since its launch in 1987. It is characterized by its progressive outer thread, its sandblasted and etched micro-rough surface and its precise, keyed and friction-locked tapered connection.This type of connection with its horizontal offset provides a system-inherent platform-switching, a main feature of the system. Since 2005, the implant shoulder has a microrough surface, which resulted in even better bone apposition in the important area of the implant abutment interface.

Crestal bone levels were almost unchanged after 20 years

The excellent long-term results in the implant-supported case presented was dependent on the surgical and restorative procedures and the selection of a suitable implant system. Selection criteria for implant systems include mechanical stability of implant components, design, simplicity of application and long-term availability of components.

Long-term survival rates with good function and esthetics in implant dentistry require long-lasting and stable osseointegration and maintenance of peri-implant hard and soft tissue. Scientific studies have shown that the implant-abutment connection is particularly important in this respect. Freedom from micromovement is an essential prerequisite for long-term tissue maintenance at the connection.

The results of the study by Krebs et al reveal crestal bone levels that were almost unchanged after 20 years of functional loading of Ankylos implants. The clinical long-term success of this system is confirmed by its largely unchanged design and the unlimited availability of all system components have provided dentists with a system that stands for durable and stable implant-supported restorations for their patients.