Immediate versus early loading protocols of titanium-zirconium narrow-diameter implants for mandibular overdentures...

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to compare immediate and early loading protocols for mandibular overdentures with two-splinted narrow-diameter implants in thin, non-augmented residual ridge situations.

Each edentulous patient received two implants in the interforaminal region. If primary stability after implant placement was achieved, patients were randomized either to the immediate (48 hr post-surgery) or the early (2 weeks after surgery) loading group. In prosthetic rehabilitation, a bar prosthetic system with a titanium bar was used. Implant survival, success rates, and radiographic changes at the crestal bone level were evaluated after 1 year, and patient satisfaction was recorded at 1 and 6 months post-surgery.

Twenty-four patients with a mean age of 67 ± 9 years were included. One patient passed away after 11 months due to treatment-independent reasons. In the 24 implants of the immediate loading group, the mean bone level change from surgery/loading to the first-year evaluation was 0.32 ± 0.80 mm (p = .066). Regarding the early group (22 implants), the mean bone level change from loading to 1 year was 0.34 ± 0.69 mm (p = .048). After 1 year, no differences could be detected between groups (p = .91) with a mean difference of 0.02 mm (95% CI: [-0.42, 0.47]). The mean implant survival and success rates were 100% for both groups. Patient satisfaction was high; however, at 6 months, there was a difference between groups regarding the ability to chew.

Both loading protocols for mandibular overdentures supported by two-splinted narrow-diameter implants were successful at the 1-year follow-up.