Immediate occlusal loading of double acid-etched surface titanium implants in 41 consecutive full-arch cases in the mandible and maxilla: 6- to 74-month results.
BACKGROUND
The high success rate of dental implants has changed the quality of life for many patients. Immediate loading finds its application in some clinical cases and certainly adds another modality of treatment for the implant patient. Starting with a few implants immediately loaded with a bar overdenture in the mandible, the concept of immediate loading evolved to loading multiple implants in both the maxilla and mandible.


METHODS
In this investigation, 41 consecutive patients who needed full-arch restorations were treated with 343 double acid-etched surface implants between May 1998 and March 2004. The sample included smokers and bruxers. Twenty-three mandibular and 26 maxillary cases were treated, loading the implants within 48 hours, by using resin provisional prostheses, metal-reinforced provisional prostheses, or definitive prostheses (metal-acrylic or metal-ceramic). All implants were followed for 12 to 74 months. Follow-up consisted of clinical as well as radiographic examination. Furthermore, resonance frequency analysis was done in most of the implants during the last 2 years.


RESULTS
The success rate obtained was 99.42% (only two mandibular implants that are still surviving were considered failures). The bone level was measured every year. The average radiographic bone level change was 0.56 mm at 12, 0.76 mm at 24, 0.84 mm at 36, 0.82 mm at 48, 0.83 mm at 60, and 0.94 mm at 72 months.


CONCLUSIONS
A high success rate can be achieved when double acid-etched surface implants are immediately loaded with fixed full-arch restorations in the maxilla and mandible.
Ibañez
Juan C
JC
Postgraduate Area of Implantology, School of Dentistry, Córdoba University, Córdoba, Argentina. ibanezjc@ibaimplantes.com
Tahhan
Marcelo J
MJ
Zamar
Juan A
JA
Menendez
Alicia B
AB
Juaneda
Agustina M
AM
Zamar
Nicolas J
NJ
Monqaut
Jose L
JL
D000134:Acid Etching, Dental; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002012:Bruxism / Q000150:complications; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012907:Smoking; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003722:Dental Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys; D014025:Titanium