Immediate loading of Brånemark system implants following placement in edentulous patients: a clinical report

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate loading of Brånemark System implants following placement with a screw-retained provisional prosthesis in edentulous patients. Twelve mandibular and 5 maxillary arches were treated from December 1997, including 3 bimaxillary patients. The provisional prosthesis, made of heat-polymerizing resin, had an inner casting of cobalt-chromium alloy to provide rigidity. The implants whose placement torque was more than 40 Ncm were immediately loaded. Implants that were placed with placement torque of less than 40 Ncm or that were associated with bone grafting were submerged. Following abutment connection, temporary cylinders were incorporated into the provisional prosthesis intraorally with autopolymerizing resin. After the provisional prosthesis was completed extraorally, it was screw-retained. After a 4- to 6-month healing period, a definitive prosthesis was fabricated and placed. Of the 140 immediately loaded implants, 136 osseointegrated during an 8- to 24-month follow-up period (97.2%). All 17 submerged implants osseointegrated. The results suggest that immediate loading of Brånemark System implants at the time of placement in edentulous patients can be a valuable adjunct to therapy and as predictable as delayed loading, in both mandibular and maxillary arches.