Immediate non-occlusal vs. early loading of dental implants in partially edentulous patients: a multicentre randomized clinical trial. Peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels.
OBJECTIVE
To compare peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels of immediately non-occlusally loaded vs. non-submerged early loaded implants in partially edentulous patients up to 14 months after placement.


METHODS
Fifty-two patients were randomized in five Italian private practices: 25 in the immediately loaded group and 27 in the early loaded group. To be immediately loaded, single implants had to be inserted with a torque of > or = 30 N cm, and splinted implants with a torque of > or = 20 N cm. Immediately loaded implants were provided with non-occluding temporary restorations within 48 h. After 2 months, the provisional restorations were placed in full occlusion. Implants were early loaded after 2 months. Final restorations were provided 8 months after placement. Blinded assessors evaluated peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels.


RESULTS
Fifty-two implants were immediately loaded and 52 were early loaded. No drop-out occurred. One single immediately loaded implant failed 2 months after placement. Both groups gradually lost peri-implant bone in a highly statistically significant manner at 2, 8, and 14 months. After 14 months, patients of both groups lost an average of 1.1 mm of peri-implant bone. There were no statistically significant differences between the two loading strategies for peri-implant bone and soft-tissue level changes (P > 0.05). After 14 months, the position of the soft tissues did not change significantly from baseline (delivery of the final restorations 8 months after placement).


CONCLUSIONS
There were no statistically or clinically significant differences between immediate and early loading of dental implants with regard to peri-implant bone and soft-tissue levels as evaluated in the present study.
Galli
Fabio
F
Section of Implantology and Oral Rehabilitation, Department of Odontology, Galeazzi Institute, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Capelli
Matteo
M
Zuffetti
Francesco
F
Testori
Tiziano
T
Esposito
Marco
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003794:Dental Restoration, Temporary; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007576:Jaw, Edentulous, Partially / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008437:Maxilla; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010519:Periodontium / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing
D015921:Dental Implants