Immediate Loading of Single-tooth Implants: Immediate Versus Non-immediate Implantation. A Clinical Report

The hypothesis of the present study was that immediate loading of implant-supported restorations replacing single missing teeth could be a successful procedure. The present study compared the clinical success of immediately loaded single-tooth implants placed in fresh extraction sites to that of immediately loaded single-tooth implants placed in healed sites. From the years 1997 to 1998, 26 patients, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years, presented for the placement of 28 immediately loaded implants intended to support single-tooth ceramometal restorations. Nineteen implants were placed into fresh extraction sites, and 9 implants were placed into healed sites. Temporary prefabricated acrylic resin crowns were prepared and adjusted. At the time of traditional second-stage surgery (3 to 6 months after implantation), the implants were restored with single-tooth ceramometal prostheses. The survival rates were 82.4% and 100% for immediate and non-immediate implants, respectively. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months from the day of implant placement, with a mean of 13 months for the immediate implants and 16.4 months for the non-immediate implants. Radiographic marginal bone loss after 3 to 6 months did not extend beyond the abutment-implant junction. Within the limits of the present investigation, immediate loading of single-tooth implants placed in healed sites is a possible treatment alternative. Immediate loading of single-tooth implants placed in fresh extraction sites carried a risk of failure approximating 20% in this patient population.