Survival Rate of Screwable Basal Implants: Narrative Review

Background: Basal implants, also known as strategic, bicortical, and smooth surface implants, are a treatment option for replacing missing teeth. These implants are reported to provide superior primary stability compared to conventional crestal implants due to their anchorage in the basal bone. Restoration of moderately to severely atrophic jaws with conventional implants often requires extensive surgical procedures. Basal implants, designed for immediate loading in atrophied jaws, offer an alternative by supporting single and multiple-unit restorations in both the maxilla and mandible without the need for complex and costly bone augmentation. However, their survival rate may decrease in regions with limited residual bone. Aim: To assess the survival rate of screwable basal implants. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a narrative review. A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. Of the 193 articles initially retrieved, 38 articles met the predefined inclusion criteria. Results: The cumulative survival rates reported ranged from 87% to 100%, with an average survival rate of 98.91% across 37 of the 38 included studies. The mean follow-up period was 34.6 months, and the average number of implants per study was 326. Marginal bone loss averaged 1.15 mm after one year. Conclusion: Although screwable basal implants demonstrate a high survival rate, their clinical advantages over conventional implants remain uncertain. Evidence-based practices, which typically favor conventional implants, should continue to guide standard care. Further high-quality research is required to establish the efficacy and long-term suitability of basal implants in various clinical scenarios.