Immediate loading of 2 interforaminal dental implants supporting an overdenture: clinical and radiographic results after 24 months.

PURPOSE: In this study, preliminary results of immediate loading of ITI sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) implants with a bar-connected overdenture in the edentulous mandible are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten edentulous patients between 48 and 74 years old were included in this study. All patients received 2 SLA-surfaced ITI solid-screw dental implants in the interforaminal region, which were loaded with a bar connector and an overdenture 1 day after implant placement. Marginal bone resorption was evaluated using periapical radiographs. Gingival health (ie, Bleeding Index) and patient satisfaction (measured using a visual analog scale) were evaluated. Follow-up time was 24 to 36 months (mean time 29.8 months) after implant loading. RESULTS: Twenty-four months after placement, none of the 20 implants had failed. Marginal bone resorption around all implants after 12 months averaged 0.71 mm, and 92% of the sites had a Bleeding Index of 0. Between 12 and 24 months, average bone resorption was an additional 0.08 mm. All patients demonstrated an improved quality of life. DISCUSSION: The amount of bone resorption was comparable to amounts reported in studies with standard loading times. The low rate of inflammation of the peri-implant soft tissue and the high level of patient satisfaction in this study demonstrate encouraging short-term results. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that immediate loading of 2 dental implants can be successful and further support the use of a rough implant surface in residual bone.