Comparison of two early loading protocols in full arch reconstructions in the edentulous maxilla using the Cresco prosthetic system: a three-arm parallel group randomized-controlled trial

Objectives: Appraise the feasibility of interchanging conventional components of a fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) with those of Cresco in two different early loading protocols. Material and methods: In five centers patients with an edentulous, fully healed maxilla were recruited to partake in a three‐arm blinded randomized‐controlled trial (RCT). Each patient received 5/6 implants using a single‐stage surgery approach to support a 10/12‐unit FDP. The implants used were SLA solid screw two‐part implants. In test groups 1 and 2 components from Cresco were used and the implants loaded 10 days or 6–8 weeks post‐implant placement. Group 3 received their FDP fabricated with conventional components 6–8 weeks post‐implant placement. Patients were followed up 3 years. Results: Of 36 patients, 30 remained after 3 years. The adjusted means and ranges of changes in crestal bone levels were ?0.65, ?0.5 and ?0.4 mm in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The change from baseline was statistically significant in all treatment groups. Adjusting for the difference in implant depth, there was an expected additional change in bone level of ?0.29 mm by each 1 mm the implant was placed deeper. There was no significant difference between the 6‐8 weeks post‐implant placement loading Cresco group vs. the control group or between the two Cresco groups. Conclusions: The vertical placement has more effect on bone loss than the fabrication technique used for the suprastructure and whether the implants were loaded after 10 days vs. 6–8 weeks. To cite this article :
Jokstad A, Ellner S, Gussgard A. Comparison of two early loading protocols in full arch reconstructions in the edentulous maxilla using the Cresco prosthetic system: a three‐arm parallel group randomized‐controlled trial.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 455–463.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02156.x