title: A comparative analysis of periimplant bone levels of immediate and conventionally loaded implants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the trend of shortening the treatment time and reducing patient discomfort/inconveniences immediate loading of implants has emerged as an alternative approach for replacing missing natural teeth. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of immediate implant loading protocol over conventional implant loading protocol in partially edentulous mandible.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients were selected from out patients department who needed the replacement of one of the missing mandibular first molar. They were divided into two groups. In Group A patients implants were loaded with immediate implant loading protocol, whereas in Group B they were loaded with conventional loading protocol. Periimplant bone loss and soft tissue health were measured and compared using OPG and IOPA radiographs 06 and 12 months after implant placement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One implant failed in immediate loading group (Group A), whereas all implants survived in conventional loading group (Group B). The average periimplant bone loss after 6 months and 1 year for Group A were 0.69 mm and 1.09 mm respectively, whereas it was 0.74 mm and 1.13 mm respectively for Group B. The difference in the bone loss between Group A and B was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate implant loading protocol has a highly acceptable clinical success rate in partially edentulous lower jaw although implant survival rate is slightly inferior to conventional loading protocol.
authors.affiliation: Graded Specialist (Prosthodontics), Officer Commanding, Military Dental Centre, Trivandrum-695006, India.
authors.lastname: Guruprasada
authors.affiliation: Commandant and Command Dental Adviser, Command Military Dental Centre (WC), India.
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Thapliyal
authors.affiliation: Consultant (Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopaedics), Command Military Dental Centre (SC), India.
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Pawar
keywords: Alveolar bone loss; Dental plaque; Early implant loading; Immediate dental implant loading; Oral hygiene; Osseointegration