A 2-year clinical report of patients treated with two loading protocols for mandibular overdentures:: Early versus conventional loading

Background: The original Branemark protocol for dental implant treatment was based on submerged healing prior to loading. In recent years, immediate/early functional loading has been reported to be possible with high success for various indications including two splinted mandibular implants supporting an overdenture. However, there are a limited number of studies regarding the early loading protocol for two unsplinted mandibular implants supporting an overdenture. Methods: A total of 26 edentulous patients were treated with two unsplinted dental implants supporting mandibular overdentures. All implants were placed in the canine regions of each mandible according to the one-stage surgery. For the test group, overdentures were connected I week after surgery, and for the control group, overdentures were connected 3 months after surgery. Peri-implant parameters were recorded 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. Marginal bone levels were evaluated at implant placement and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Clinical stability measurements were performed at surgery, and after 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results: No implant from either group was lost during 2 years. Clinical peri-implant parameters, clinical implant stability measurements, and marginal bone resorptions showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups during 24 months. Conclusion: The results of this clinical trial suggest that the early loading approach of two dental implants supporting a mandibular overdenture does not jeopardize peri-implant soft tissue health, marginal bone resorption, and implant stability.