Immediate occlusal loading of Osseotite implants in the lower edentulous jaw. A multicenter prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports the results of a prospective multicenter clinical study on immediately fully occlusally loaded full-arch screw-retained prostheses with distal extensions (hybrid prostheses) supported by Osseotite implants inserted in edentulous lower jaws.


METHODS
Sixty-two patients were enrolled in four clinical centers. Three hundred and twenty-five Osseotite implants were inserted and occlusally loaded according to an immediate loading protocol. The temporary prosthesis was delivered 4 h from surgery. The final prosthesis was delivered after 6 months. Marginal bone loss was monitored from periapical radiographs using a computerized technique.


RESULTS
Two implants failed to integrate within 2 months of occlusal loading. A cumulative implant success rate of 99.4% was achieved for a period of 12-60 months postplacement (mean 28.6+/-14.1 (SD) months). Crestal bone loss around the immediately loaded implants was similar to that reported for standard delayed loading protocols.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that the rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible by an immediate occlusally loaded hybrid prosthesis supported by five to six Osseotite implants represents a viable alternative treatment to classic delayed loading protocols.
Testori
Tiziano
T
Implant Dentistry Section, Department of Odontology, Galeazzi Institute, University of Milan, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161 Milan, Italy. tiziano.testori@tin.it
Meltzer
Alan
A
Del Fabbro
Massimo
M
Zuffetti
Francesco
F
Troiano
Miguel
M
Francetti
Luca
L
Weinstein
Roberto Lodovico
RL
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003779:Denture Design; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015921:Dental Implants