Implant-retained mandibular overdentures with immediate loading: a 3- to 8-year prospective study on 328 implants

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Edentulous mandibles present challenges for prosthetic rehabilitation.
• Immediate loading of dental implants offers potential benefits for patient treatment timelines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate survival and success rates of immediately loaded implants in the interforaminal area of edentulous mandibles.
• To assess the long-term outcomes of implant-supported overdentures in the mandible.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 82 patients with edentulous mandibles.
• Placement of 328 screw-type osseointegrated implants, immediately loaded with a bar-supported overdenture.
• Clinical and radiographic evaluation annually for up to 96 months.

Main Results:

• After a mean follow-up of 62 months, absolute success and survival rates were 91.6% and 97.6%, respectively.
• Cumulative success and survival rates were 88.2% and 96.1%, respectively.
• A moderate decrease in success rates was observed for specific implant systems after 7-8 years.

Conclusions:

• Immediately loaded implants in the mandible demonstrate survival and success rates comparable to delayed loading at 3 years.
• Long-term follow-up shows sustained survival rates but a moderate decrease in success rates for certain implant systems.
• The findings support the use of immediately loaded, bar-supported overdentures for edentulous mandibles.