Immediate loading on two adjacent single dental implants with definitive nonsplinted restorations: A proof of concept in the posterior zone

Abstract

ObjectivesTo evaluate clinical, clinician‐ and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) of two adjacent single posterior implants immediately loaded with definitive single crowns up to 1 year. Ten patients in need of two adjacent posterior single implants were included. All implants were placed applying a fully digital workflow. Definitive screw‐retained single zirconia crowns were delivered within 72 h after implant placement. Clinical parameters, patient‐ and clinician‐reported outcomes were assessed up to 1 year of follow‐up.Clinical ConsiderationsClinical outcomes remained stable, with no implant failures or technical and biological complications throughout the observation period. Patient satisfaction was very high at baseline (crown delivery) and remained consistently high at 6 and 12 months of follow‐up. Crown insertion 3 days after implant placement was rated as an easy procedure by clinicians.ConclusionsTwo adjacent single implants with immediate definitive restorations (<72 h) in the posterior region appear to be a viable and easy treatment option to shorten the overall treatment time and potentially enhancing patient satisfaction. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm the advantages of this treatment protocol over a delayed loading approach.Clinical SignificanceIn selected cases, immediate implant loading with definitive restorations in the posterior region appears a valuable and straightforward option to shorten the overall treatment time.

CBCT in Dental Implantology: A Key Tool for Preventing Peri-Implantitis and Enhancing Patient Outcomes

“…Cone-beam computed tomography with pre-surgical planning caused more ancillary procedures to be performed during implant placement surgery [13,14]. Early implant placement with simultaneous contour augmentation using CBCT in a study performed by Dannie Buser, et al (2013) [60] demonstrated stable peri-implant hard and soft tissues for all 41 implants examined and satisfactory aesthetic outcomes overall [10,61]. Follow-up at 5 to 9 years confirmed again that the risk of mucosal recession was low with early implant placement [62].…”

“…All these studies investigated bone density in relation to outcome when implants were placed according to standard protocol [9]. The results of these studies show that the early loading of implants utilizing a flapless surgical technique with CT-guided surgical stents may be possible [10]. In 1985, Misch and Judy established four basic divisions of available bone for implant dentistry in the maxilla and mandible, which also follows the natural resorption phenomena [11].…”