Purpose: To compare the clinical outcome of single, partial and full fixed implant-supported prostheses immediately loaded (within 48 h), early loaded at 6 weeks and conventionally loaded at 3 months (delayed loading). Materials and methods: Eighty-one patients (27 requiring single implants, 27 requiring partial fixed prostheses and 27 requiring total fixed cross-arch prostheses) were randomised in equal numbers in three private practices to immediate loading (27 patients), early loading (27 patients) and conventional loading (27 patients) according to a parallel group design with three arms. To be immediately or early loaded, implants had to be inserted with a torque superior to 40 Ncm. Implants were initially loaded with provisional prostheses and replaced after 4 months by definitive ones. Outcome measures were prosthesis and implant failures and complications. Results: No patient dropped out up to 4-months post-loading. No implant or prosthesis failed or any complications occurred. Conclusions: All loading strategies were highly successful and no differences could be observed for implant survival and complications when loading implants immediately, early or conventionally.
Keywords: conventional loading, delayed loading, dental implants, early loading, immediate loading
Conflict-of-interest statement: This trial was partially funded by MegaGen, the manufacturer of the implants evaluated in this investigation, however data belonged to the authors and by no means did the manufacturer interfere with the conduct of the trial or the publication of its results.
