Early Loading of Sandblasted, Acid-Etched Implants in the Posterior Maxilla and Mandible: A 1-year Follow-up Report from a Multicenter 3-year Prospective Study

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concept of an immediate loading protocol in the posterior maxilla and mandible through analysis of implant survival at 1 year. Materials and Methods: One year follow-up data of a multicenter study are reported. Eighty-two ITI sandblasted, acid-etched (SLA) implants in 40 patients were loaded between 0 and 11 days after implant placement (mean 4.3 ± 2.8 days). The restorations consisted of either 2 splinted crowns or a 3-unit fixed prosthesis. All restorations were put into full functional occlusion. Periapical radiographs were evaluated for changes in crestal bone level from baseline to 1 year postloading. Primary stability of the implants was checked initially and before the fitting of the definitive prosthesis. The restorations were evaluated by the practitioners for retention, stability, and esthetics. Results: Three patients' implants were not loaded because of lack of primary stability, and a fourth patient was excluded from the study because of a protocol violation (more than 4 implants were used). All 4 patients were successfully treated outside the protocol. The overall survival rate of the remaining implants at 1 year was 98.8%. The mean bone loss at 1 year was 0.52 ± 0.98 mm, which is within the reported limits of less than 1 mm (range 0.4 to 1.4 mm) loss in the first year. Discussion and Conclusion: The early results from this study indicate that early and immediate loading of 2 implants in the posterior maxilla and mandible may be suitable in selected patients. On the basis of 1 year of observation, the results appear similar to those achieved with a delayed procedure.