Peri-implant Outcomes with Laser vs Nanosurface Treatment of Early Loaded Implant-Retaining Mandibular Overdentures

Purpose: To compare peri-implant changes seen with two early loading protocols for modifying surface treatment of dental implants-one modifying the collar portion (Laser-Lok implant) and the other modifying the implant surface (nanosurface-treated implant). Materials and Methods: Thirty-six completely edentulous patients were chosen for this research. Conventional complete dentures were constructed for all patients. Two implants were used for each patient corresponding to mandibular canines. The patients were classified into two groups. Eighteen patients in group 1 received 36 laser-collar-treated implants; 18 patients in group 2 received 36 nanosurface-treated implants. The implants were early loaded 2 weeks after implant insertion. The peri-implant outcome was evaluated using the following variables: (1) modified Plaque Index, (2) modified Bleeding Index, (3) probing depth, (4) implant mobility using the Periotest instrument, and (5) marginal bone loss as recorded at the time of the overdenture insertion and 6 and 12 months after insertion. Results: At all times of the study, the differences between the groups were not significant with regard to peri-implant tissue changes around implants. Conclusion: Both the laser collar- and nanosurface-treated dental implants showed the same peri-implant tissue changes with the early loading protocol. This study found that both early loading protocols are reliable, with good implant stability. Keywords: implant early loading, mandibular overdentures, peri-implant outcome