Immediate loading of full-arch fixed protheses supported by axial and tilted implants for the treatment of edentulous atrophic mandibles

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of immediately loaded fixed full prostheses for the treatment of edentulous patients with extreme bone atrophy in the posterior mandibular region. Material and Methods: Twenty-four edentulous patients with atrophic posterior mandibles were treated by means of a complete prosthesis sustained by both axial and tilted fixtures. The insertion of tilted implants was carefully planned by means of computed tomography scan analysis and measuring width and height of residual bone. Implant type, length, and diameter were chosen, as well as implant angulation, according to the All-on-Four protocol and avoiding the course of the mandibular nerve. The prosthesis was delivered no later than 2 days after implant surgery. Implant survival and prosthesis success were assessed clinically and radiographically up to 42 months of follow-up. Measurement of peri-implant bone loss was based on periapical radiographs after 12 months of loading. Results: All implants survived and all prostheses were successful at the time of this study reporting. The mean follow-up was 30.1 months with a range of 14 to 44 months. The average peri-implant bone loss was 0.85 mm after 12 months (0.8 mm for tilted implants and 0.9 mm for axial implants). No significant difference in marginal bone loss was observed between axial and tilted implants. Conclusions: The immediate rehabilitation of patients with extreme atrophic mandibles can be successful with careful planning and particular attention during the surgical placement of the implants, as shown by the excellent outcomes of the present study. Keywords: endosseous implants, extreme atrophy, immediate loading, mandible, tilted implants