Immediate and early loading of SLA ITI single-tooth implants: an in vivo study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether early and immediate loading of dental implants resulted in adverse consequences as determined clinically, radiographically, and histologically.


METHODS
In a canine model, 48 sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surfaced implants were placed at 4 different times before definitive restoration and loading. These times were 3 months (group A), 21 days (group B), 10 days (group C), and 2 days (immediately) (group D) before loading. Each implant was restored at the same time with a single gold screw-retained crown. Immediately after restoration all crowns were placed in function. Standardized periapical radiographs were made 1, 2, and 3 months after restoration. At the end of the study, block sections were obtained for histologic examination. Changes in crestal bone height on the mesial and distal aspects of each implant and the change in bone density of the coronal 3 mm of crestal bone were recorded. Primary, secondary, and total bone-to-implant contact; bone marrow-to-implant contact; and connective tissue-to-implant contact were evaluated histologically.


RESULTS
All implants were osseointegrated at the end of the study; no clinical failures of integration were noted. The changes in crestal bone heights for groups A, B, C, and D (means +/- SE) were 0.02 +/- 0.07 mm, 0.30 +/- 0.08 mm, 0.15 +/- 0.08 mm, and 0.35 +/- 0.18 mm, respectively. Total bone-to-implant contact for the 4 groups was 69.1%, 71.3%, 74.6%, and 75.2%, respectively (P > .57).


CONCLUSIONS
Under the conditions of this study no statistically significant differences were noted between the 4 different loading protocols for any of the parameters recorded. This finding is consistent with other recent studies and case reports.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study indicate that early and immediate loading of single-unit SLA surfaced implants was possible in this model. (More than 50 references.)
Quinlan
Paul
P
Department of Dental Diagnostic Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 78229-3900, USA.
Nummikoski
Pirkka
P
Schenk
Robert
R
Cagna
David
D
Mellonig
James
J
Higginbottom
Frank
F
Lang
Klaus
K
Buser
Daniel
D
Cochran
David
D
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D020906:Air Abrasion, Dental; D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D003442:Crowns; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D004285:Dogs; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011897:Random Allocation; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors