Marginal Bone Level Measurements of Unsplinted Implants Used for Mandibular Overdentures: A Six-Month Randomized Prospective Clinical Study Comparing Early and Delayed Loading Protocols

Background and purpose Implant-supported mandibular overdentures are a good alternative for patients having poor retention of mandibular conventional dentures. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the results between early loading and delayed loading of mandibular overdentures on two unsplinted implants.Materials and methods A total of 14 completely edentulous male patients in the age group of 50-60 years were selected for the study. Two 3.5x13 mm implants were placed in the mandibular interforaminal region. The patients were divided into two groups: (i) the test group in which the overdenture was connected after one week of surgery, and (ii) the control group, in which the overdenture was connected three months after surgery. Marginal bone levels were evaluated at baseline (during loading), three months, and six months post loading. Unpaired 't' test was used for the comparison of intergroup measurements.Results No implants were lost. Marginal bone resorptions showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups over six months period after loading.Conclusion The results of this prospective clinical study suggested that there was no significant difference in the clinical and radiographic state of patients treated with implant-supported mandibular overdentures loaded either one week or three months after implant surgery.