Immediate loading of ø 2,4 mm narrow-diameter implants in the edentulous maxilla and mandible

A 61-year-old healthy patient was referred for prosthetic rehabilitation in the maxilla and mandible. The primary wish of the very anxious patient was to improve the masticatory function and his aesthetic appearance with the least invasiveness and as efficiently as possible. Furthermore, he desired to receive a reliable long-term solution. The patient had no general medical restrictions and was a non-smoker. At the time of the first clinical examination, the patient presented nearly edentulous, with a few root remnants in the mandible and remaining wisdom teeth in the maxilla. The main objective of the treatment, hence, was to improve both his chewing function and the stability of the prostheses without invasive surgeries. After the removal of the root remnants and one of the two wisdom teeth (18), two new complete dentures were fabricated. Thereafter, 6 diameter reduced mini implants (SLA® one-piece self-tapping Straumann® Mini Implants made of Roxolid®, with a diameter of 2.4 mm and a length of 10 mm) were inserted in the maxilla, and 4 mini implants (SLA® one-piece self-tapping Straumann® Mini Implants made of Roxolid®, with a diameter of 2.4 mm and a length of 10 mm) were inserted in the mandible. After the implant insertion with good primary stability, the two new complete dentures were transferred into two implant-supported removable dental prostheses and retained by means of the transmucosal integrated attachment system of the mini implants (Optiloc®). At the 3-month follow-up visit, the patient was very satisfied with the outcomes, both from a functional and aesthetic point of view.