title: Immediate Loading of Edentulous Mandible With Prefabricated Bars: A Long-Term Study of 7 Years.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present clinical data from a 7-year follow-up study of edentulous mandibles rehabilitated according to an immediate loading protocol with prefabricated bars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four implants were inserted in 11 patients and were evaluated by means of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and clinical and radiographic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients returned for the 7-year evaluation and presented no implant loss. The stability measurements were performed immediately after implant placement (T0 = 64.5 ± 6.6 ISQ) and 1 year (T1 = mean 66.8 ± 4.2 ISQ), and 7 years (T7 = mean 62.8 ± 5.4) after being in function. The analysis of the RFA values showed a statistically significant decrease in implant stability after 7 years in function, although the final values are considered adequate for treatment success. Panoramic x-ray examination showed bone loss greater than the first thread in 10 implants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the obtained data, it can be concluded that immediate loading according to this protocol with prefabricated bars is a valid treatment option for edentulous patients providing sufficient long-term success.
authors.affiliation: *Assistant Professor, Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education, Curitiba, Brazil. †Master Student, Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education, Curitiba, Brazil. ‡Director, Latin American Institute of Dental Research and Education, Curitiba, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cláudia Moreira
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Toscano
authors.forename: Rogéria Acedo
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.forename: Ivete Aparecida de Mattias
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Sartori
authors.forename: Sérgio Rocha
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bernardes
authors.forename: Geninho
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomé
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants