A Prospective Study of 3 Weeks' Loading of Chemically Modified Titanium Implants in the Maxillary Molar Region: 1-year Results

Purpose: Recent research has demonstrated that modification of implant surface chemistry can influence osseointegration events, leading to increased bone-to-implant contact at earlier times. Clinical studies have been initiated to investigate the potential of modified surfaces to reduce the needed healing period between surgery and prosthesis insertion. The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the clinical outcome after 3 weeks of loading single implants with hydrophilic surfaces in the maxillary molar areas. Materials and Methods: This prospective two-center clinical trial consecutively included healthy patients who needed an implant in the maxillary molar areas. Drilling was limited to the minimum, most of the site preparation was produced with osteotomes, and screw tapping was never performed. Abutment connection was carried out at 15 Ncm, at 21 (± 2) days after surgery, and provisional restorations were fabricated in occlusion. Further abutment tightening at 35 Ncm was performed after 4 to 6 additional weeks, for the definitive restoration. Results: Thirty-five patients were treated. No major adverse events were registered during and/or after surgery. Primary stability was always achieved. At abutment connection, six of the 35 patients reported minor pain, and placement of provisional restorations was postponed for 4 additional weeks. Clinical and radiographic measures were taken at baseline (abutment connection) and at the 1-year follow-up appointment. No patients dropped out, and no implant losses were registered during the first 12 months of observation. No significant differences between baseline and the 1-year examination were recorded for any outcome measure. Conclusions: These results suggest that, by means of the surgical and restorative technique presented, surface-modified hydrophilic implants are suitable for loading at 3 weeks in maxillary molar areas. Keywords: dental implants, early loading, healing time, osseointegration, osteotome technique, posterior maxilla