Immediate functional loading of implants in single tooth replacement: a prospective clinical multicenter study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the outcome of immediate functional loading of implants in single-tooth replacement using two different installation procedures.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-one subjects, who required single-tooth rehabilitation in the area of 15-25 and 35-45, were enrolled in eight private clinics in Italy. The implant sites were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment groups. In the control group, in which a standard preparation procedure for implant placement and submerged healing of the implant was used, abutment connection and loading of the implants were performed 3 months after installation. In the test group 1, a standard preparation procedure for the implant placement and immediate functional loading of implant was carried out. In the test 2 group, however, a modified implant installation procedure (osteotome technique) was used followed by immediate functional loading of the implant. Clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 3 and 12 months of follow-up at all sites.


RESULTS
Three implants (5.5%) from the test 2 group (osteotome preparation) and one (2%) from the test 1 group (conventional drill preparation) failed to integrate and were removed one and three months after implant installation. The mean marginal bone loss assessed at 12 months was 0.31 mm (test 1), 0.25 mm (test 2) and 0.38 mm (control) (no statistically significant differences were found between the three treatment groups.)


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that immediate functional loading of implants that are placed with a conventional installation technique and with sufficient primary stability may be considered as a valid treatment alternative in a single-tooth replacement.
Donati
Mauro
M
Department of Periodontology The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. mauro.donati@odontologi.gu.se
La Scala
Vincenzo
V
Billi
Mauro
M
Di Dino
Biagio
B
Torrisi
Paolo
P
Berglundh
Tord
T
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015519:Bone Density; D003442:Crowns; D000044:Dental Abutments; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D013516:Oral Surgical Procedures, Preprosthetic / Q000379:methods*; D016348:Osseointegration; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing