Fixed mandibular restorations on three early-loaded regular platform Brånemark implants

Background: Originally, the Brånemark System was used as a two‐stage surgical procedure. Comparable clinical results have made one‐stage and early‐loading concepts possible alternatives in the edentulous mandible. From the patient's point of view, the financial aspect of implant treatment is important. In an attempt to decrease financial burden, the reduction of surgical interventions and reduction of the number of implants could be considered. Purpose: This prospective multicenter study evaluated (1) the 1‐and 3‐year success rates of implants loaded within 1 month after one‐stage surgery with a fixed 10‐ to 12‐unit bridge on three regular platform Brånemark System implants in the mandible, (2) the outcome of the prosthetic treatment, and (3) the opinion of patients regarding the treatment procedure. Materials and Methods: Of 20 patients, 19 received five implants in the mandible, of which three were functionally loaded with the one‐stage technique (group 1). The loaded implants were inserted in a tripodal position, one implant in the symphysis and two located anterior of the mental foramen in the bicuspid area. Two additional implants were inserted for safety reasons but were not intended to be included in the restoration. These two additional implants served as either an unloaded one‐stage control implant (group 2) or an unloaded control implant installed with the submerged technique (group 3). Immediately after surgery, the implants were loaded with a relined denture. The patients received a 10‐ to 12‐unit prosthetic reconstruction an average 31 days (range, 4‐53 d) after surgery. Implant stability was clinically checked at 3, 12, and 36 months. Radiographs were taken at corresponding follow‐up visits to calculate bone‐to‐implant level and marginal bone resorption. Results: Six of 60 functionally loaded implants (10%) and 3 of 20 prostheses (15%) failed within the first year. The cumulative implant failure rate in group 1, both after 1 and after 3 years, was 9.5%. No implant failure occurred in the control groups 2 and 3. The average marginal bone level measured at 1 and 3 years was 1.6 mm (SD = 0.8 mm) and 2.1 mm (SD = 0.2 mm), respectively, for group 1; 1.5 mm (SD = 1.3 mm) and 2.4 mm (SD = 0.6 mm), respectively, for group 2; 0.8 mm (SD = 1.4 mm) and 0.7 mm (SD = 0.9 mm), respectively, for group 3. Conclusions: The results of treatment using three regular platform Brånemark System implants supporting a fixed mandibular arch reconstruction were less favorable than the outcome that can be expected with a standard four‐ to six‐implant with one‐stage surgery.     

Healing of Osseotite implants under submerged and immediate loading conditions in a single patient: a case report and interface analysis after 2 months

A growing number of clinical studies show that early (2 months) and immediate loading protocols may be predictable. However, they are based on clinical stability only The aim of this case report was to document the osseointegration status of two Osseotite implants after 2 months of healing in soft bone corresponding to type IV and subjected to two distinct mechanical environments. A completely edentulous patient received a total of 11 Osseotite implants in the mandible. Six were immediately loaded to support a provisional fixed partial denture, and five were left submerged. After 2 months, two submerged and one immediately loaded implants were retrieved and processed for histologic analysis. All immediately loaded implants were clinically stable. One histologic section per implant was obtained. All implants achieved osseointegration. The bone-implant contact was 38.9% for the submerged implant and 64.2% for the immediately loaded one. In the marrow space, both implants were covered by thin, neoformed bone trabeculae. Osseointegration can be achieved after 2 months by Osseotite implants placed in soft bone in the mandible either when immediately loaded and splinted into a provisional denture retained on six implants, or when submerged and unloaded.     

The effect of maximum bite force on marginal bone loss in mandibular overdenture treatment: an in vivo study

The impact of bite force on the marginal bone response around implants is a subject of debate. This study focused on the effect of maximum bite force on marginal bone levels in mandibular implant overdenture treatment. In addition, the effect of the sequence of 3 different loading conditions on marginal bone loss was evaluated in vivo. The patient population consisted of a group of 18 patients. They received 2 implants in the mandible and a new denture without attachments during the period of submerged implant healing. After second stage surgery, the denture was provided with a ball, magnet or bar-clip attachment. There was a transition of attachment type after 3 and 6 months of function. The sequence in which the attachments were used was randomised. Radiographic marginal bone loss was measured after the period of submerged implant healing and after 3, 6 and 9 months of functional implant loading. Maximum bite force measurements were obtained just prior to second stage surgery with the new denture without attachment. Bite force measurements were also obtained after 3, 6 and 9 months of loading with the implant-retained overdenture. The latter 3 values were averaged. The mean bone loss during the period of submerged healing and during functional loading was 1.7 mm (0.7 mm) and 1.3 mm (0.6 mm), respectively. A relationship between maximum bite force during the period of submerged healing or during the period of functional loading on the one hand and the amount of marginal bone loss on the other could not be demonstrated. The sequence in which the different attachment types were used did not influence the observed amount of marginal bone loss.     

Immediate Loading of Two Implants with a Mandibular Implant‐Retained Overdenture: A New Treatment Protocol

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present the clinical outcomes of the immediate loading of two bar‐splinted implants retaining a mandibular overdenture. Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial, 124 edentulous patients were treated according to a new treatment concept, which involves the immediate loading of two bar‐splinted SLActive implants with an implant‐retained mandibular overdenture. The new conventional mandibular denture is used as a template for implant positioning and as an impression tray, and for mounting the retention clip by the dental laboratory. At the same day the implants are placed, the conventional denture is converted into an implant‐retained overdenture. During the healing and evaluation period, resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was undertaken to assess the effect of loading on implant stability and survival. Results: The survival rate of the implants was 98.8% during the evaluation period (12–40 months). Only 3 of the 248 implants were lost. During the healing (osseointegration) phase, the implant‐stability quotient increased significantly (p = .0001). During the evaluation period, four patients (3%) needed a relining of their mandibular overdenture, whereas 13 patients (11%) needed relining of the maxillary denture. Conclusions: Two interconnected implants can be successfully loaded by a mandibular overdenture at the same day of implant placement with a high survival rate of the implants. Only a few patients needed additional relining of the overdenture. Repeated RFA measurements can be useful in gauging implant stability and survival.     

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of implant-retained mandibular overdentures with immediate loading

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare immediate-loaded implant-retained mandibular overdentures and delayed-loaded implant-retained mandibular overdentures. MATERIALS: Ten completely edentulous male patients received 40 dental implants. Patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups, 5 patients each. Patients of both groups received conventional maxillary complete denture and had stage 1 surgery for placing 4 dental implant fixtures, 2 on each side anterior to the mental foramina. Group A: One-stage surgical procedure and immediate loading. Patients in this group received mandibular bar-retained overdenture supported by 4 endosseous implants loaded immediately after implant placement. Group B: The original 2-stage concept and delayed loading. Patients in this group received mandibular bar-retained overdenture supported by 4 endosseous implants that remained submerged for a period of 4 months before loading. The patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically immediately after overdenture delivery and after 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. RESULTS: The results of clinical evaluation showed no statistical significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the effect of treatment. The radiographic assessment showed no statistical significant difference in mesial and distal alveolar bone loss at the different intervals of the follow-up period, except at the 12-month period, where immediately loaded implants showed a decrease in the amount of alveolar bone loss mesially and distally compared to delayed loaded implants. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that immediate-loaded implants provide promising results compared to delayed-loaded implants and can be a possible alternative procedure in implant dentistry.     

In-patient comparison of immediately loaded and non-loaded implants within 6 months

Abstract: According to the Brånemark protocol, a stress‐free healing period is one of the most emphasised requirements for implant integration. Recent studies have encouraged a progressive shortening of the healing period and immediate loading has been proposed for the edentulous mandible. This prospective study evaluated the clinical outcomes of 14 immediately loaded FRIALIT‐2^® implants compared with 28 non‐loaded controls in an in‐patient study. The results were based on clinical stability and on changes of bone level from implant placement to abutment connection 6 months after insertion. In the course of our investigation, seven patients with edentulous mandibles have been treated with 43 implants following an immediate‐loading protocol. Six FRIALIT‐2^® implants were placed in the interforaminal region located at positions 34, 33, 32, 42, 43, 44. Bone level in relation to implant margin was measured and recorded. In order to obtain an in‐patient comparison of immediately loaded and non‐loaded implants, the ones at 33 and 43 were chosen to be immediately loaded by a Dolder‐bar retained overdenture. The implants in position 32, 34, 42 and 44 were covered and left to heal. After a healing period of 6 months, second stage surgery was carried out. The clinical criteria to be checked at this point were survival, Periotest values and marginal bone level at the loaded and non‐loaded implants. The mean Periotest value was ?2.7 for the loaded and ?5.6 for the non‐loaded implants. The Mann–Whitney U‐test showed that the difference was highly significant (P < 0.001). The mean bone level changes at prosthetic delivery were 0.9 mm resorption for the loaded implants and 0.33 mm for non‐loaded implants. The difference was highly significant (P < 0.001). No implant failures were observed up to the prosthetic restoration 6 months post insertion. The results of this investigation allowed for direct comparison of implant survival and clinical results between immediately loaded implants and standard implants. Clinical bone changes at the 6‐month evaluation demonstrated significantly higher crestal resorption around loaded implants. This fact was confirmed by higher median Periotest values (?3 vs. ?6) of immediately loaded implants. According to the outcome of this study, immediate loading of two interforaminal implants with a Dolder‐bar resulted in an intimate bone apposition comparable with implants with submerged healing. Nevertheless, the coronal bone level as well as clinical stability (PTV) were significantly lower in the case of the immediately loaded implants. Future studies will be necessary to evaluate marginal bone resorption, Periotest values and clinical success rates of mandibular immediately loaded implants in the long‐term.     

A 2-year clinical report of patients treated with two loading protocols for mandibular overdentures: early versus conventional loading

BACKGROUND: The original Br?nemark protocol for dental implant treatment was based on submerged healing prior to loading. In recent years, immediate/early functional loading has been reported to be possible with high success for various indications including two splinted mandibular implants supporting an overdenture. However, there are a limited number of studies regarding the early loading protocol for two unsplinted mandibular implants supporting an overdenture. METHODS: A total of 26 edentulous patients were treated with two unsplinted dental implants supporting mandibular overdentures. All implants were placed in the canine regions of each mandible according to the one-stage surgery. For the test group, overdentures were connected 1 week after surgery, and for the control group, overdentures were connected 3 months after surgery. Peri-implant parameters were recorded 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. Marginal bone levels were evaluated at implant placement and after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Clinical stability measurements were performed at surgery, and after 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: No implant from either group was lost during 2 years. Clinical peri-implant parameters, clinical implant stability measurements, and marginal bone resorptions showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups during 24 months. CONCLUSION: The results of this clinical trial suggest that the early loading approach of two dental implants supporting a mandibular overdenture does not jeopardize peri-implant soft tissue health, marginal bone resorption, and implant stability.     

Treatment of a patient with cleidocranial dysplasia using osseointegrated implants: a patient report

This patient report describes the treatment of a 42-year-old woman with cleidocranial dysplasia. Endosseous implants were used to restore the mandibular and maxillary arches with fixed prostheses. Six implants were placed in the mandible and immediately loaded with an acrylic resin fixed prosthesis. In the maxillary arch, 10 implants were submerged for 4 months prior to functional loading. A transitional denture was relined and placed in the maxilla 10 days after implant placement. Three months later, a definitive mandibular prosthesis was fabricated. The definitive maxillary restoration was delivered 6 months after surgery. The most recent follow-up, 6 months after delivery, confirmed a satisfactory treatment result to date.     

The impact of dietary advice on edentulous adults' denture satisfaction and oral health‐related quality of life 6 months after intervention

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the impact of customised dietary advice on patients' satisfaction with their dentures and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients wearing implant‐supported mandibular overdentures (IOD) or conventional dentures (CD). Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study, 28 IOD (two implant‐retained mandibular overdenture) and 26 CD patients completed a denture satisfaction scale and the 20‐item oral health impact profile (OHIP‐20) before and 6 months following provision of customised dietary advice. Results: At 6 months following provision of individualised dietary advice, the IOD group showed significantly greater satisfaction than the conventional group for denture comfort (80.6, ± 15.6, vs. 68.7 ± 15.6 P=0.001), stability (75.8 ± 15.9 vs. 59.5 ± 30.4, P=0.002), and perceived chewing ability (79 ± 30.4 vs. 59.5 ± 30.4, P=0.027) ± when adjusted for baseline scores. Before delivery of the dietary advice there were no significant differences between groups for Satisfaction or OHIP scores. No difference in OHRQoL was seen between groups. Conclusions: The delivery of customised dietary advice to edentulous patients impacts differently on their satisfaction with denture comfort, stability and chewing ability depending on the nature of their prosthesis. This re‐evaluation of satisfaction occurs when edentulous patients challenge themselves to consume more fruits, vegetables and fibre‐rich foods. The IOD group reported an increased level of satisfaction and perceived chewing ability whereas it appeared that CD wearers may have had their awareness of the shortcomings of this sort of prosthesis reawakened. To cite this article:
Ellis JS, Elfeky AF, Moynihan PJ, Seal C, Hyland RM, Thomason M. The impact of dietary advice on edentulous adults' denture satisfaction and oral health‐related quality of life 6 months after intervention.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21 , 2010; 386–391.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01859.x     

The transmandibular implant: prosthodontic treatment considerations.

The transmandibular implant (TMI) is a type of transosteal implant designed for use in the edentulous mandible. The implant is composed of a gold-based alloy. The TMI is a loaded implant in that the prosthesis is supported by the implant. A transitional type of prosthesis, for insertion following surgery can be made either by altering the patient's existing mandibular complete denture or by making a new denture. The completed prosthesis is retained by clips held in the mandibular denture with autopolymerizing acrylic resin. The clips engage Dolder bar segments, which are a part of the implant suprastructure, and provide the necessary retention for the mandibular complete denture.     

Stability and marginal bone level measurements of unsplinted implants used for mandibular overdentures: a 1-year randomized prospective clinical study comparing early and conventional loading protocols

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two non‐splinted implants used as retention for a mandibular overdenture when applying conventional or early loading protocols. Material and methods: Twenty edentulous patients were treated with two unsplinted and non‐submerged implants (15 mm long, TiUnite RP, Brånemark System) in the anterior mandible. The patients were randomly allotted into two groups: (i) test group (Group A), in which the overdenture was connected 1 week after surgery, and (ii) control group (Group B), in which the overdenture was connected after 12 weeks of healing. Resonance frequency analyses (RFA) for implant stability measurements were performed at implant surgery and after 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Marginal bone levels were evaluated at implant surgery and after 6 and 12 months. Results: No implant from either group was lost and all implants showed less than 1 mm of marginal bone resorption during the first year. The mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) values at implant surgery were 76.2±2.8 for Group A and 75.6±4.5 for Group B. The 12‐month measurements showed 76.4±2.5 ISQ and 76.4±2.8 ISQ for Groups A and B, respectively. There were no statistically significant changes between or within the groups with time. There were no differences in marginal bone loss, which was on average 0.3 mm for both groups after 1 year. Conclusion: Although a limited number of patients were followed for 1 year only, the results of the present study indicate that early loading of two unsplinted 15 mm long implants with an overdenture does not negatively affect implant stability or marginal bone conditions when compared with implants subjected to 12 weeks of healing before loading.     

Marginal bone resorption around immediate and delayed loaded implants supporting a locator‐retained mandibular overdenture. A 1‐year randomised controlled trial

The aim of this 1‐year study was to evaluate and compare crestal bone loss and clinical outcomes of immediate and delayed loaded implants supporting mandibular overdentures with Locator attachments. In a randomised controlled clinical trial, 36 completely edentulous patients (mean age 59·6 years) who desired to improve the stability of their mandibular dentures were randomly assigned into two groups. Each patient received two implants in the canine area of the mandible after a minimal flap reflection. Implants were loaded by mandibular overdentures either 3 months (delayed loading group, G1) or the same day (immediate loading group, G2) after implant placement. Locator attachments were used to retain all overdentures to the implants. Peri‐implant vertical (VBL) and horizontal (HBLO) bone losses and clinical parameters [plaque scores (PI), gingival scores (GI), probing depths (PD) and implant stability (ISQ)] were assessed at time of overdenture insertion (T0), 6 months (T6) and 12 months (T12) after overdenture insertion. After 12 months of overdenture insertion, two implants (5·5%) failed in G2. Vertical bone loss was significantly higher in G2 compared with G1, while HBLO demonstrated insignificant differences between groups. All clinical parameters (PI, GI, PD and ISQ) did not differ significantly between groups. Vertical bone loss was significantly correlated with PD and HBLO. Immediately loaded two implants supporting a Locator‐retained mandibular overdenture are associated with more vertical bone resorption when compared to delayed loaded implants after 1 year. Clinical outcomes do not differ significantly between loading protocols.     

微创种植固定修复在下颌无牙颌患者中的临床应用研究

目的：通过在下颌微创种植8枚种植体，使下颌无牙颌患者获得固定义齿。方法：对下颌无牙颌要求种植固定义齿的患者进行筛选，制定详细的治疗方案。采用不翻瓣的手术方法植入8枚种植体，对患者原义齿缓冲后做过渡使用。术后6个月采用黏固式分段烤瓷桥的设计方式修复完成至少12牙单位修复。结果：本院自2006年至2013年期间采用此方法对下颌无牙颌患者完成种植固定义齿修复18例，追踪期（0.8-7年）内，种植体存留率100%，种植体周围组织稳定，义齿局部崩瓷一例。结论：下颌无牙颌患者8枚种植体支持的固定义齿咀嚼功能恢复理想，患者使用舒适方便，义齿卫生易于维护，患者接受度和满意度高。     

Early functional loading in the fully edentulous mandible after mandibular resection and reconstruction due to an ameloblastoma: case report

Background: Immediate or early functional loading of implants in fully edentulous mandibles can enhance patient comfort and the ability to masticate within a few days after implant placement. Recently there has been evidence that this method of restoring edentulous mandibles is predictable. Purpose: The goal of this case report is to present the treatment of a patient diagnosed with a large ameloblastoma in the mandible. After removal of the tumor and mandibular reconstruction, the patient had complete anesthesia in the right mandible, with an alveolar ridge deformity. Methods: Two years after removal of an ameloblastoma in the right mandibluar sextant, five implants were installed between the mental foramina. One implant was installed for safety reasons in the event one of the others was lost. This implant remains buried. A denture was used as a drilling guide. Abutments were attached to the implants, and impression copings were fixed to the abutments. The denture was used for the “pickup” impression. Flaps were sutured, maintaining exposure of the abutments. In the laboratory, gold cylinders were heat cured to the tissue side of the denture. The cylinders were attached to the cast with laboratory screws. The gold cylinders were heat cured to the intaglio side of the denture. Five days after implant placement, the nonmetal reinforced acrylic denture was fixed to the implants with laboratory screws. The bridge is removed annually, and the implants are examined for mobility and periapical radiographs are taken. Results: The patient has worn the prosthesis for 2.5 years without loss of implants and without breakage of the nonmetal reinforced denture. At 2.5 years the implants are stable, implant sites demonstrate stable crestal bone, and the patient is eating comfortably and without limitations. Conclusion: Early functional loading of implants in the edentulous mandible may offer patients the option of wearing implant‐supported prosthesis immediately or shortly after implant insertion.     

Immediate loading of two implants supporting a ball attachment-retained mandibular overdenture: a prospective clinical study

Background: A prospective clinical study was conducted to evaluate clinically and radiographically the performance of two implants immediately loaded supporting a ball attachment‐retained mandibular overdenture. Materials and Methods: Seventeen completely edentulous patients were included in the study. Each patient received two implants inserted after a minimal flap reflection and no vestibular extension in order to reduce the postoperative swelling and facilitate immediate prosthesis connection. After implant placement, a mandibular complete denture was connected to the implants using ball attachments of appropriate height according to the depth of the peri‐implant tissue. Patients were asked not to remove the denture for 1 week. No limitations to chewing function were given. At implant placement, the maximum value of insertion torque was recorded. Patients were examined at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 52 weeks postsurgery. At postoperative visit, occlusion was checked and the need for any prosthesis maintenance was recorded. The radiographic bone level (RBL) change was measured on periapical radiographs at baseline and 12 months after loading. Results: After 12 months of loading, no implant failure was reported and the survival rate was 100%. Average RBL change was 0.7 mm ± 0.5 mm. Of the 17 cases, two had major prosthetic complications and five patients required minor extra maintenance appointments. Conclusions: The immediate loading of two implants by means of ball attachment‐retained mandibular complete denture may be a predictable treatment option. This clinical approach offers increased stability and comfort, while keeping a high implant success rate.     

One-Year Prospective Evaluation of the Early Loading of Unsplinted Conical Brånemark Fixtures with Mandibular Overdentures Immediately following Surgery

Background: Prospective evaluation of the early loading of unsplinted Branemark implants with mandibular over‐dentures opposing conventional dentures is not evident in the implant‐related literature. Purpose: To clinically evaluate progressive and early loading of 20 unsplinted conical Brånemark implants in edentulous mandibles with overdentures. Materials and Methods: Ten edentulous patients all had two conical Brånemark implants placed in the anterior mandible with mandatory primary stability with bicortical anchorage. Ball abutment connection was performed simultaneously. Previously constructed conventional mandibular dentures were temporarily relined with tissue conditioner postoperatively and worn with moderation for the first 2 weeks to allow progressive loading. Early loading of the implants followed after 2 weeks, with inclusion of the respective matrices in the mandibular dentures, using a definitive reline procedure. Results: All patients successfully functioned with their mandibular implant overdentures from 2 to 52 weeks postoperatively. Mean marginal bone loss was within established criteria for success:0.22 mm (SD = 0.48 mm) mesially and 0.30 mm (SD = 0.39 mm) distally on the conical implants. Mobility tests using the Periotest instrument became more negative, although not at statistically significant levels. Difficulties in the management of the peri‐implant mucosa between surgery and loading at 2 weeks were observed in 40% of the patients. Conclusions: These preliminary 1‐year results show that successful early loading of unsplinted conical Brånemark implants with mandibular overdentures is possible.     

Surgical template for completely edentulous patients

Implant angulation is of utmost importance for fabrication of esthetic, hygienic, and functional prostheses, even in the treatment of completely edentulous patients. Most mandibular surgical templates are not reliable because of a lack of stability resulting either from severe resorption of the mandible or from the interference of mucoperiosteal flaps elevated during surgery. This article describes a technique for fabrication and surgical application of a stable template for the completely edentulous mandible. By combining the mandibular template with a maxillary duplicate denture, the problem of lack of stability can be overcome. A consistently reliable reference for implant placement in the edentulous mandible, specifically in relation to implant angulation (trajectory), can be obtained.     

下颌套筒冠固位全颌覆盖种植义齿即刻负重的临床研究

目的:探讨下颌无牙颌在种植后即刻进行套筒冠固位覆盖义齿修复技术的可行性和临床效果。方法:10例下颌无牙颌患者,术前常规行传统全口义齿修复,在双侧颏孔之间植入4颗种植体,术后当天即刻完成种植体支持的套筒冠固位覆盖义齿修复,均于负重后2、4、8、12、24、48周复诊,检查种植体的稳固性、种植体周龈组织状况,并拍摄X线片观察种植体骨吸收和骨结合状况。结果:10例患者共40颗种植体术后进行即刻负重,均获得良好的骨结合,临床检查种植体稳定性良好,种植体周龈组织健康,未见X线连续透射影,无边缘骨吸收,患者对修复效果满意。结论:下颌无牙颌患者,在双侧颏孔间植入4颗种植体,如种植体可获得足够的初期稳定性,即刻采用种植体支持的套筒冠固位覆盖义齿修复是可行的,短期临床效果满意。     

The single midline implant in the edentulous mandible: a systematic review

Objectives

The concept of a single midline implant retaining a complete mandibular denture is controversially discussed among experts. Studies are rare in the literature, and commonly accepted recommendations for this treatment options are not available. This systematic literature review was performed to give an overview over the current literature on the single midline implant therapy for the edentulous mandible and to reveal whether this treatment option might be an alternative to commonly accepted treatment modalities with more implants.

Methods

A review of the literature published until 24th of May 2013 was conducted to identify in vivo studies on the single midline implant concept with a mean follow-up time of at least 3 months.

Results

From the electronic search, 11 studies were finally included. After an observation period of 3–60 months, the implant survival rate ranged from 62.5 to 100 %. The most frequent prosthetic maintenance intervention was “activation of the matrix” followed by “repair of fractured denture base.”

Conclusions

The concept of one single midline implant to retain a mandibular complete denture can be an alternative, especially for elderly patients. Immediate loading of the implants should be avoided, and the way of integrating the matrix into the denture base should be carefully considered.     

Clinical and radiological results of patients treated with two loading protocols for mandibular overdentures on Brånemark implants

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of the unsplinted implants supporting mandibular overdenture when applying conventional or early loading protocols. Material and Methods: Twenty‐six edentulous patients were treated with two unsplinted Brånemark System implants supporting mandibular overdenture. There was a test group, in which the overdenture was connected 1 week after surgery, and a control group, in which the overdenture was connected 3 months after surgery. Peri‐implant paremeters were recorded 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Clinical stability measurements were performed at surgery, and after 3, 6, and 12 months. Marginal bone levels were evaluated at implant surgery, after 6, and after 12 months. Results: No implant from either group was lost. Clinical peri‐implant parameters, clinical stability measurements, and marginal bone resorptions showed no statistically significant differences between two groups during 12 months. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that one‐week of early loading protocol of two Brånemark implants supporting mandibular overdenture does not compromise implant stability, marginal bone loss, and peri‐implant soft‐tissue health.