Long-term clinical outcomes of immediate loading versus non-immediate loading in single-implant restorations: a...

Dental implant restoration is a predictable treatment option for replacing missing or damaged teeth. Conventional loading requires a prolonged treatment period and second surgical interventions. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes between immediate and non-immediate (early or conventional) loading in single-implant restorations. A literature search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases was performed in January 2020. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. The overall risk ratios (RRs), mean differences (MDs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used in the analyses. A total of 10 RCTs reporting on 423 patients were included. There was no significant difference in any of the outcomes of interest between the immediate and non-immediate loading cases: implant failure at the patient level (RR 1.29, 95% CI 0.35 to 4.78, P = 0.71), implant failure at the implant level (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.40 to 3.51, P = 0.75), marginal bone loss (MD -0.04, 95% CI -0.16 to 0.08, P = 0.54). Subgroup analyses showed similar results. Immediate loading had predictable long-term clinical outcomes if the indicated patients were carefully selected. The influences of several technical factors need to be confirmed in additional clinical trials.