Effect of Two Loading Protocols on Supporting Structures of Symphyseal Implant Supported Mandibular Overdenture

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of 2 different loading protocols on single implant supported overdentures, immediate and conventional protocols on the supporting structures regarding: The extent of resorption of peri-implant bone and clinical evaluation of peri-implant soft tissue. Material and Methods: ten completely edentulous patients was selected to receive single implant supported overdenture. They have been divided after the insertion of implant into two groups according to time of loading. Group I received ball and socket attachment and loaded after 3 months of surgical procedures, while Group II was loaded within 7 days from surgery. Then all patients were evaluated clinically regarding probing depth, bleeding and plaque index and radiographically at the day of loading, 3, 6 and 9 months postoperatively. Results: comparison between the two groups in marginal bone loss was insignificant except in the first two periods, while probing depth was insignificant except at (6 to 9 month). For bleeding and plaque index, it was insignificant except at time of insertion for bleeding index. Conclusions: Immediate loading of single implants supporting a ball-retained mandibular overdenture is associated with more marginal bone resorption when compared with delayed loading of implants after 9 months follow up but it still can be used with single implant supported overdenture. Clinically, immediate loading had probing depth and bleeding index higher than delayed loading, while for plaque index for both loading protocols was almost the same.