title: 3-year prospective multicenter study on one-stage implant surgery and early loading in the edentulous mandible.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The long-term success rates achieved in dental implantology suggest that flexibility might well exist within the various implant systems to a degree that an altered protocol (ie, one-stage surgery and immediate or early loading) can be performed under controlled conditions. However, before variations of the protocol can be considered for general use, they must be subjected to critical analysis, particularly with respect to the predictability of osseointegration, alteration of soft tissue barrier, and relative change in bone height around the implants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate implant survival and periimplant conditions around endosseous implants placed in a one-stage surgical procedure and early loading.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 170 implants were placed in 40 patients with mandibular edentulism and were functionally loaded within 6 weeks with overdentures (n = 30) or fixed prostheses (n = 10). All patients and prosthetic constructions were evaluated according to a standardized protocol during 3 years of follow-up. Cumulative implant survival rates were calculated, and implant loss in relation to implant size and bone quality and quantity were evaluated. Furthermore, the protocol included assessment of clinical (plaque and bleeding scores, prosthesis stability) and radiographic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a period of 3 years, the implant survival rate was 93% for both implants and prostheses (fixed or removable). No implants were lost after the first year of loading. The periimplant tissues were in a healthy condition. Mean marginal bone resorption from the time of loading to the 3-year follow-up was 0.41 mm (SD 0.52).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From this study it may be concluded that early loading results in good implant survival and proper periimplant health in edentulous mandibles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Maxillofacial Prosthetics, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands. g.m.raghoebar@kchir.azg.nl
authors.forename: Gerry M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Raghoebar
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Friberg
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grunert
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hobkirk
authors.forename: Gabor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tepper
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wendelhag
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000209:etiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000209:etiology; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D003831:Denture, Partial, Immediate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016348:Osseointegration; D010512:Periodontal Index; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants