Five-year follow-up of wide-diameter implants placed in fresh molar extraction sockets in the mandible: immediate versus delayed loading.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the long-term success rates of wide-diameter implants in the mandibular molar region placed immediately after extraction and loaded either immediately or after a 3-month healing period.


METHODS
In 71 patients, 120 implants were positioned immediately after tooth extraction; 60 implants (immediate loading group) were loaded immediately and 60 were loaded after 3 months (delayed loading group). Radiographic examinations were made at baseline and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after implant placement.


RESULTS
After 5 years, a survival rate of 96.67% was reported for all implants (failure rate, 3.33%). Four implants were lost, two from the immediate loading group and two from the delayed loading group. There were no patient dropouts in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Wide-diameter implants placed in fresh extraction sockets and loaded immediately or after a delay showed no significant clinical or radiographic differences after 5 years.
Prosper
Loris
L
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and Department of Dentistry, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Crespi
Roberto
R
Valenti
Edoardo
E
Capparé
Paolo
P
Gherlone
Enrico
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D019232:Dental Restoration Failure; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography; D013997:Time Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000601:surgery*