The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the survival rate of oxidized titanium implants and sandblasted large-grit acid etched implants in soft bone.

201 oxidized titanium implants were inserted in 84 patients between May 1999 and May 2004. 120 sandblasted large-grit acid etched implants were inserted in 74 patients between December 2000 and May 2004. The patients were followed-up 0~5 years in ITI group or 0~6 years in BRA group, respectively. The following information was collected from the patient records: age, gender, systemic disease, implant type, number, length and diameter of the implants, their location in the jaws, bone quantity, the number of failed implants, the causes of failure, and advanced surgery for bone augmentation.

In the oxidized titanium implants, 8 implants showed early failure, and 1 implant showed late failure, respectively. The cumulative survival rate was 95.48%. In the sandblasted large-grit acid etched implants, 1 implant showed late failure and cumulative survival rate was 99.10%. The cumulative survival rate and the survival rates in the case of the advanced procedure during the implant placement were not significantly different in both groups.

Oxidized titanium implants and sandblasted large-grit acid etched implants can be used successfully in soft bone regardless of the surgical methods used during the implant placement.