The immediately loaded single implant-retained mandibular overdenture: a 36-month prospective study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Prosthodontics
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Problematic mandibular dentures often lead to poor retention, instability, and discomfort.
• Traditional multi-stage implant surgeries can be complex and costly.
• Exploring simplified treatment protocols is crucial for improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the success rates of single-stage surgery and immediate prosthetic loading of a single implant for mandibular overdentures.
• To compare the performance of oxidized-surface implants versus machined-surface implants.
• To assess functional improvements and patient satisfaction with this simplified approach.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-five patients with problematic dentures underwent single-implant placement in the mandibular midline.
• Patients were randomized into machined or oxidized surface implant groups, with immediate loading where primary stability was achieved.
• Clinical assessments, stability measurements (manual and RFA), and patient satisfaction (VAS) were recorded at 3, 12, and 36 months.

Main Results:

• The machined-surface implant group showed an unacceptably high failure rate (37.5%) and was discontinued.
• One machined and two oxidized-surface implants required a two-stage delayed loading protocol due to insufficient primary stability.
• All 25 immediately loaded oxidized-surface implants survived the 36-month follow-up, with significant improvements in patient comfort and function.

Conclusions:

• Immediately loaded, single oxidized-surface implants for mandibular overdentures offer a beneficial treatment outcome over three years.
• This simplified, single-stage approach provides a cost-effective solution for prosthetically maladaptive patients.
• Oxidized-surface implants demonstrate superior performance compared to machined surfaces in this immediate loading protocol.