Immediate loading of 2 interforaminal dental implants supporting an overdenture: clinical and radiographic results after 24 months.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, preliminary results of immediate loading of ITI sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) implants with a bar-connected overdenture in the edentulous mandible are presented.


METHODS
Ten edentulous patients between 48 and 74 years old were included in this study. All patients received 2 SLA-surfaced ITI solid-screw dental implants in the interforaminal region, which were loaded with a bar connector and an overdenture 1 day after implant placement. Marginal bone resorption was evaluated using periapical radiographs. Gingival health (ie, Bleeding Index) and patient satisfaction (measured using a visual analog scale) were evaluated. Follow-up time was 24 to 36 months (mean time 29.8 months) after implant loading.


RESULTS
Twenty-four months after placement, none of the 20 implants had failed. Marginal bone resorption around all implants after 12 months averaged 0.71 mm, and 92% of the sites had a Bleeding Index of 0. Between 12 and 24 months, average bone resorption was an additional 0.08 mm. All patients demonstrated an improved quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The amount of bone resorption was comparable to amounts reported in studies with standard loading times. The low rate of inflammation of the peri-implant soft tissue and the high level of patient satisfaction in this study demonstrate encouraging short-term results.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that immediate loading of 2 dental implants can be successful and further support the use of a rough implant surface in residual bone.
Stricker
Andres
A
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany. Stricker@ZMK2.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
Gutwald
Ralf
R
Schmelzeisen
Rainer
R
Gellrich
Nils G
NG
D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography
D015921:Dental Implants