Maxillary implant‐supported overdentures opposed by (partial) natural dentitions: a 5‐year prospective case series study

The aim of this study was to assess the 5‐year treatment outcome of maxillary implant‐retained overdentures opposed by natural antagonistic teeth. Fifty consecutive patients received maxillary overdentures supported by six dental implants. Implants were placed in the anterior region, if enough bone was present (n = 25 patients) Implant were placed in the posterior region if implant placement in the anterior region was not possible (n = 25 patients). Variables assessed included survival of implants, condition of hard and soft peri‐implant tissues and patients' satisfaction. The five‐year implant survival rate was 97·0% and 99·3%, and mean radiographic bone loss was 0·23 and 0·69 mm in the anterior and posterior group, respectively. Median scores for plaque, calculus, gingiva, bleeding and mean scores for pocket probing depth were low and stayed low. Patients' satisfaction after treatment was high in both groups. Within the limits of this 5‐year study, it is concluded that six dental implants (placed in the anterior or posterior region) connected with a bar and opposed to natural antagonistic teeth result in acceptable results for clinical parameters and good outcomes for marginal bone level changes and patient satisfaction.     

A 5-year prospective multicenter clinical trial of non-submerged dental implants with a titanium plasma-sprayed surface in 200 patients

Background: Endosseous dental implants are a popular treatment to replace missing teeth. Although many advances have occurred and affected the macrogeometry and surface characteristics of dental implants, among other aspects, it is important to document how the implants perform in patients over time. Such evaluations are helpful not only to document the clinical survival of the implants but also patient satisfaction over an extended period. Methods: A formal prospective multicenter human clinical was performed at five centers involving 200 patients and 626 implants. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used and detailed data collected at specified times using case report forms. An independent study monitor reviewed all study data before entry into the study database. Two implant designs were used in two different clinical indications. A non‐submerged titanium plasma‐sprayed (TPS) hollow cylindrical implant with a smooth transgingival collar was evaluated in the maxillary anterior sextant and a non‐submerged TPS solid screw implant with similar collar in the mandible. Results: Over the course of the 5‐year clinical trial, there was one early failure occurring before definitive prosthesis delivery. Three late failures were documented, one occurring at each of the 6, 12, and 18 months postoperative visits. Life table analysis at 5 years revealed a 99.4% survival rate and a 92.5% success rate. Patient satisfaction was rated as good to excellent for 96.1% of implants in regards to esthetics after 5 years; 98.8% for appearance; and 99.4% for prosthesis comfort, ability to chew and taste, fit, and general satisfaction. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Implant success and survival was over 92% and 99%, respectively, in a formal 5‐year prospective multicenter clinical trial involving 200 patients and 626 non‐submerged TPS implants. These implants included hollow cylinder implants in the anterior maxilla and solid screw implants placed in the mandible. These findings document the predictability and patient satisfaction of tooth replacement using a non‐submerged surgical technique involving a tissue‐level, rough surfaced endosseous dental implant.     

Mandibular Fracture in Conjunction with Bicortical Penetration,Using Wide‐Diameter Endosseous Dental Implants

Prosthodontic rehabilitation of a patient with an atrophic edentulous mandible presents a significant challenge in restoring esthetics and function. The purpose of this clinical report is to describe fracture of an atrophic edentulous mandible opposing maxillary natural dentition in association with endosseous dental implants. The patient received two wide‐diameter implants in the anterior mandible for an implant‐assisted mandibular overdenture, in which the implants penetrated the inferior border of the mandible for bicortical stabilization. Three months following implant placement surgery, the patient experienced pain, swelling, and intraoral purulent drainage around the right implant. Panoramic radiograph revealed a fracture of the mandible through the right implant site and signs of infection around the left implant. The implants were removed surgically, and open reduction and fixation of the fracture site were undertaken using a titanium bone fixation plate. This clinical report demonstrates that placement of wide‐diameter implants in conjunction with bicortical penetration in a severely atrophic edentulous mandible can risk fracture of the mandible.     

Evaluation of peri-implant sulcular temperature

Abstract Sulcular temperatures were measured on 35 clinically stable and restored osseointegrated denial implants and compared to 50 remaining natural teeth in 9 partially-edentulous adults using the Perio Temp temperature probe (ABIO-DENT, Inc., Danvers, MA USA). Replicate peri-implant sulcular measurements showed a mean difference of 0.1±0.15 (SD)°C. Implant temperatures varied from 0.41 to 3.9°C below sublingual temperatures measured on each patient, and maxillary implants were significantly cooler than mandibular implants (p<0.001, t-test). A posterior-to-anterior temperature gradient was found in both the maxilla and mandible, with anterior implants significantly cooler than posterior fixtures. No significant differences were found in sulcular temperatures of osseointegrated dental implants and natural teeth located in anatomically-equivalent oral sites. Similarly to natural teeth, sulcular temperature may serve as a valuable diagnostic tool in evaluating dental implant status.     

The influence of resilient liner and clip attachments for bar‐implant‐retained mandibular overdentures on opposing maxillary ridge. A 5‐year randomised clinical trial

This study aimed to compare the influence of resilient liner and clip attachments for bar‐implant‐retained mandibular overdentures on opposing maxillary ridge after 5 years of denture wearing. Thirty edentulous male patients (mean age 62·5 years) received two implants in the anterior mandible after being allocated into two equal groups using balanced randomisation. After 3 months, implants were connected with resilient bars. New maxillary complete dentures were then constructed, and mandibular overdentures were retained to the bars with either clips (group I, GI) or silicone resilient liners (group II, GII). The prosthetic and soft tissue complications of the maxillary dentures were recorded 6 months (T_6 m), 1 year (T1), 3 years (T3) and 5 years (T5) after overdenture insertion. Traced rotational tomograms were used for measurements of maxillary alveolar bone loss. The proportional value between bone areas and areas of reference not subject to resorption was expressed as a ratio (R). Change in R immediately before (T0) and after 5 years (T5) of overdenture insertion was calculated. Maxillary denture relining times and frequency of flabby anterior maxillary ridge occurred significantly more often in GI compared with GII. The change of R in anterior part of maxilla was significantly higher than change of R in posterior part in both groups. GI showed significant resorption of anterior residual ridge compared with GII. Relining times and frequencies of flabby ridge were significantly correlated with change in R. Within the limitations of this study, resilient liner attachments for bar‐implant‐retained mandibular overdentures are associated with decreased resorption and flabbiness of maxillary anterior residual ridge and fewer maxillary denture relining times when compared with clip attachments.     

Management of a patient with a failed transmandibular implant

The Transmandibular Implant System (TMI) had been developed in order to provide a patient with a severely resorbed mandible with a stable and retensive implant-supported overdenture. Failure of the transmucosal posts may necessitate removal of the transmandibular implant in total and treatment with an implant-supported prosthesis. The purpose of this paper is to describe overcoming failure of a transmandibular implant without removal and synchronous placement of endosseous dental implants in the interforaminal region, providing an implant-retained overdenture to the patient. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Transmandibular implants are rarely used nowadays and management of a failed transmandibular implant is reported even less often. Where bone height is adequate, dental implants may be placed in the anterior mandible, even when the failed transmandibular implant is not completely removed.     

Survival of dental implants in irradiated head and neck cancer patients: a retrospective analysis

Purpose: To study the long‐term survival of dental implants placed in irradiated bone in subjects who received radiation for head and neck cancer. Materials and Method: A retrospective chart review was conducted for all patients who received dental implants following radiation treatment for head and neck cancer between May 1, 1987 through July 1, 2008. Only patients irradiated with a radiation dose of 50 Gy or greater and those who received dental implants in the irradiated field after head and neck radiation were included in the study. The associations between implant survival and patient/implant characteristics were estimated by fitting univariate marginal Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 48 patients who had prior head and neck radiation had 271 dental implants placed during May 1987 to July 2008. The estimated survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 98.9%, 89.9%, and 72.3%, respectively. Implants placed in the maxilla were more likely to fail than implants placed in the mandible (p = .002).There was also a tendency for implants placed in the posterior region to fail compared with those placed in the anterior region (p = .051). Conclusion: Dental implants placed in irradiated bone have a greater risk for failure. Survival is significantly influenced by the location of the implant (maxilla or mandible, anterior or posterior).     

Ten-year results of a prospective study using porous-surfaced dental implants and a mandibular overdenture

Background: Numerous investigators have used osseointegrated dental implants as retention for mandibular overdentures, but few have reported 10‐year outcomes or incorporated carefully standardized radiographs to document crestai bone loss. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use a prospective clinical trial design to assess the performance of short sintered porous‐surfaced dental implants with a mandibular complete overdenture when all patients in the trial had undergone 10 years of continuous function. Materials and Methods: Fifty‐two fully edentulous patients, most with advanced alveolar ridge resorption, each received three free‐standing Endopore implants (7–10 mm in length, mean length, 8.7 mm; Innova Corporation, Toronto, ON, Canada) in the mandibular symphysis region. After 10 weeks of submerged healing, these implants were used to support an overdenture. Carefully standardized radiographs, using a customized stainless steel filmholder attached to each implant and the x‐ray tube, were collected at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, yearly to 5 years, and then again at 7 and 10 years. Results: Life table analysis revealed a 10‐year implant survival of 92.7% and a mean annual bone loss after year 1 of 0.03 mm. Conclusion: Short free‐standing dental implants with a sintered porous surface used for implant fixation are a predictable and effective means of retaining a mandibular overdenture in patients with advanced mandibular ridge resorption.     

Dental implant treatment for two adjacent missing teeth in the maxillary aesthetic zone: a comparative pilot study and test of principle

Aim: The aim of this prospective comparative pilot study was to evaluate hard and soft peri‐implant tissues in patients with a missing adjacent central and lateral upper incisor treated with either one implant and an implant crown with a cantilever or two implants with solitary implant crowns up to 1 year after functional loading. Material and methods: In the “Implant–cantilever group”, five patients were treated with one dental implant in the region of the central incisor (NobelReplace Groovy Regular Platform). In the “Implant–implant group”, five patients were treated with two adjacent dental implants: at the position of the central incisor (NobelReplace Groovy Regular Platform) and at the position of the lateral incisor (NobelReplace Groovy Narrow Platform). Implant survival, pocket probing depth, papilla index, marginal bone level and patient satisfaction were assessed during a 1‐year follow‐up period. Results: No implants were lost during the 1‐year follow‐up. Mean pocket probing values of the implants were comparable between the two groups. Papilla index scores in both groups were relatively low, pointing towards a compromised papilla. Marginal bone loss was minimal and comparable between the groups. Patient satisfaction was very high in both groups. Conclusion: In this 1‐year prospective comparative study, no large differences in hard‐ and soft‐tissue levels could be shown between patients with a missing central and lateral upper incisor treated with either one implant and an implant crown with a cantilever or two implants with solitary implant crowns. To cite this article:
Tymstra N, Raghoebar GM, Vissink A, Meijer HJA. Dental implant treatment for two adjacent missing teeth in the maxillary aesthetic zone: a comparative pilot study and test of principle.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 207–213.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02017.x     

Treatment outcomes for adolescent ectodermal dysplasia patients treated with dental implants

To evaluate dental implant survival in patients with ectodermal dysplasia (ED). To assess patterns of hypodontia in this patient group. METHOD:. A retrospective analysis of the use of dental implants in ED patients treated at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. RESULTS: Sixty-one implants were placed into 14 patients (nine male and five female). The mean age of patients receiving maxillary implants was 18 years 6 months (range 17 years 9 months-20 years 0 months) and mandibular implants was 17 years 5 months (range 12 years 2 months-21 years 11 months). The mean follow-up period was 3 years 4 months (range 1 year 18 months-5 years 1 month). Forty-three implants were placed in the anterior mandible, three in the posterior mandible and the remaining 15 in the anterior maxilla. Of the 61 implants placed, 54 [88.5%] successfully integrated and were able to be restored. Three of the 15 implants placed into the anterior maxilla [20%] failed, while four of the 46 in the anterior mandible failed [8.7%]. Five of the 14 patients [35.7%] had at least one implant fail prior to abutment connection. At the 12-month review appointments, 41 of the integrated 54 implants [76%] were reviewed and classed as successful, giving an overall success at follow up of 67.2%. Thirteen implants [21.3%] were unable to be reviewed owing to geographical reasons. Teeth most likely to be present in the maxilla were the central incisors [71%], first molars [54%] and canines [43%], whereas in the mandible they were the canines [53%] and the first premolars and first molars [40%]. CONCLUSIONS: Dental implants can be placed, restored and loaded in ED patients. Maxillary teeth most likely to be present are the central incisors, canines and first molars, whereas in the mandible the canines, first premolars and molars are most likely to be present. Prior to cessation of growth, implant placement in the symphyseal region of the anterior mandible may be performed with caution. Despite the limited numbers and with due consideration to jaw development, the results support the continual use of endosseous dental implants in this group of patients for optimal clinical outcomes.     

Impact of Platform Switching on Peri‐Implant Bone Remodeling around Short Implants in the Posterior Region, 1‐Year Results from a Split‐Mouth Clinical Trial

Aim: To assess the effect of platform switching on peri‐implant bone remodeling around short implants (8.5 mm) placed in the resorbed posterior mandibular and maxillary region of partially edentulous patients. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with one or more missing teeth at both sides in the posterior region were, according to a split‐mouth design, randomly assigned to be treated with a platform‐matched (control) implant on the one side and a platform‐switched implant (test) on the other side. A total of 62 short implants (8.5 mm) with a dual‐acid etched surface with nanometer‐sized calcium phosphate particles was placed. Follow‐up visits were conducted one month and one year after placing the implant crown. Outcome measures were interproximal bone level changes, implant survival and clinical parameters. Results: One year after loading, peri‐implant bone remodeling around test implants (0.53 ± 0.54 mm) was significant less than around control implants (0.85 ± 0.65 mm; p = .003). With regard to implant survival and clinical parameters no significant differences were observed between test and control implants. Conclusions: This study suggested that peri‐implant bone remodeling is affected by platform switching. One year after loading, interproximal bone levels were better maintained at implants restored according to the platform switching concept.     

Variations in bone density at dental implant sites in different regions of the jawbone

Summary The survival rate of dental implants is markedly influenced by the quality of the bone into which they are placed. The purpose of this study was to determine the trabecular bone density at potential dental implant sites in different regions of the Chinese jawbone using computed tomography (CT) images. One hundred and fifty‐four potential implant sites (15 in the anterior mandible, 47 in the anterior maxilla, 55 in the posterior mandible, and 37 in the posterior maxilla) were selected from the jawbones of 62 humans. The data were subjected to statistical analysis to determine any correlation between bone density (in Hounsfield units, HU) and jawbone region using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The bone densities in the four regions decreased in the following order: anterior mandible (530 ± 161 HU, mean ± s.d.) ? anterior maxilla (516 ± 132 HU) > posterior mandible (359 ± 150 HU) ? posterior maxilla (332 ± 136 HU). The CT data demonstrate that trabecular bone density varies markedly with potential implant site in the anterior and posterior regions of the maxilla and mandible. These findings may provide the clinician with guidelines for dental implant surgical procedures (i.e., to determine whether a one‐stage or a two‐stage protocol is required).     

Evaluating the clinical performance of the Osseotite implant: defining prosthetic predictability

A 5-year prospective, multicenter study is in progress at four private dental practices to determine the cumulative implant survival rate and prosthetic outcome when using the Osseotite dental implant in posterior maxillary and mandibular areas. An interim evaluation after 34.4 months of study progress is presented. A total of 219 Osseotite implants were placed in 74 patients (34 women and 40 men with a mean age of 57.8 +/- 15.2 years) using a conventional two-stage surgical protocol and 3- to 6-month healing time. Subsequently, patients were restored with fixed or removable restorations. Nineteen of the 74 patients reported smoking an average of 13.2 cigarettes per day. Restorative treatments included 40 single-unit restorations; 53 splinted 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-unit implant-supported maxillary and mandibular prostheses; 4 full-arch fixed maxillary prostheses; 1 mandibular fixed/detachable hybrid prosthesis; and 1 mandibular overdenture. The mean time from implant placement to second stage surgery was 6.2 +/- 2.0 months; from restoration and implant loading to the most recent follow-up evaluation was 20.9 +/- 6.8 months. Of the 219 implants placed, three posterior maxillary implants developed infections and were removed prior to second stage surgery. No implant failures occurred at second stage surgery or after implant loading. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative implant survival rate was 100% for anterior implants and 98.4% for posterior implants at 28.5 +/- 5.7 months. The cumulative postloading implant survival rate was 100% for both anterior and posterior implants. The results of this study indicate that the Osseotite dental implant achieved a high rate of integration that remained stable during nearly 2 years of implant function. In addition, because no postloading implant failures have occurred, the Osseotite implant has provided a high level of prosthetic predictability.     

Extra short dental implants supporting an overdenture in the edentulous maxilla: a proof of concept

Objectives: This study investigates the outcome of short implants additionally placed with longer implants to support a maxillary overdenture. Materials and methods: Twelve patients received six implants to support a maxillary overdenture. Only one patient still had two molars in the maxilla, while the others had no remaining teeth. The status of the opposing arch was diverse. The distal implant in each quadrant was 6 mm in height (S) and the middle implants ranged between 10 and 14 mm (L). All implants were placed following a one‐stage procedure and early loaded (6 weeks). Clinical and radiological parameters were assessed 6, 12 and 24 months after loading. Results: One short implant failed 2 weeks after surgery, probably due to early mobilization by the provisional prosthesis. The mean bone loss on the rough part of the implant was 0.7 mm (S) vs. 1.3 mm (L) during the first year and 0.3 mm (S) vs. 0.2 mm (L) during the second year after loading. The mean implant stability quotient values were 67 (S) vs. 70 (L) at placement and 75 (S) vs. 78 (L) after 1 year. At the 2‐year follow‐ up, all prostheses were still stable and comfortable. Conclusion: An overdenture on six implants, of which two have a reduced length, might represent a successful treatment option. No significant difference could be found between both implant lengths at 2 years' follow‐up. However, bone loss with short implants may increase the likelihood of failure.     

Multivariate study of factors influencing primary dental implant stability

Objectives: The purpose was to determine by multivariate analysis in a large series of dental implants the variables associated with primary endosseous dental implant stability (DIS). Material and methods: A 10‐year retrospective study was conducted of 1084 Brånemark^® implants placed in 316 patients. Clinical variables (age, gender, smoking habit, and periodontal status), implant diameter, implant length, and Periotest^® values (PTVs) were analyzed in bivariate and multivariate studies in order to determine their influence on DIS, using a cut‐off PTV value of ?2. Results: The site of implant insertion showed the strongest association with primary DIS failure among the study variables. Implants in the anterior mandible had a 6.43‐fold lower risk of primary DIS risk vs. those at other sites [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.28–12.61], and implants in the maxillary had a 2.70‐fold higher risk of primary DIS failure vs. those in the mandible (95% CI 1.82–4). Among other variables, females had a 1.54‐fold higher risk of primary DIS failure vs. males (95% CI 1.88–2.22) and implants <15 mm in length had a 1.49‐fold higher risk of failure vs. longer implants (95% CI 1.09–2.04). Conclusion: According to these findings, primary DIS failure is more likely in females, at sites other than the anterior mandible, and with dental implants shorter than 15 mm, at least when non‐threaded titanium implants are used. These data may be of value in the identification of patients at a high risk of primary DIS failure with immediate implant loading.     

种植体支持套筒冠固位全口覆盖义齿即刻负重3例

对3例全口无牙颌或重度慢性牙周炎牙列缺损患者术前制作全口义齿或即刻全口义齿,拔除全口余留牙,在下颌植入4颗Ankylos种植体,上颌植入6颗种植体,将SynCone套筒基台接入种植体,再套入预成圆锥形外冠,完成临时义齿修复。3～12个月后将临时义齿更换为铸造支架覆盖义齿。随访12～24个月,除1例种植体在植入后1个月松动拔除而重新植入种植体外,其余种植体均未出现明显的牙槽骨吸收。     

An analysis of the implant‐supported overdenture in the edentulous mandible

This investigation examined the cumu‐lative survival rate of the implant‐supported overdenture using two types of attachments in patients treated at Show Chwan Memorial Hospital Implant Center from 1992 to 2006. Fifty‐one patients (30 men and 21 women) were treated with mandibular implant‐supported overdentures. Attachment systems used were the Hader bar with bilateral, cast ERA attachments (Group A, 31 patients with 15 men and 16 women, 134 implants) and the Hader bar with bilateral, distal extension cantilevers (Group B, 20 patients with 15 men and 5 women, 85 implants). Two hundred and four implants remained at the end of the follow‐up period. Among failed implants, 10 implants were in Group A (failure rate: 10/134 = 7·5%), whereas five implants were in Group B (failure rate: 5/85 = 5·9%). Sixty‐six point seven per cent (10/15) of failed implants were placed in the distal anterior mandible, and 33·3% (5/15) were placed in the middle anterior mandible. Survival was also examined with respect to condition of the opposing arch. Patients wearing a maxillary removable partial denture had the highest implant failure rate (5/51 = 9·8%), whereas the failure rate of the maxillary complete denture group was only 5·7%. The most frequent need for maintenance was wear over patrix component of ERA or Hader clip (n = 56). Eight patients experienced connector fracture between ERA and Hader bar, and one experienced distal extension cantilever fracture. The implant‐supported overdenture can be an effective and reliable alternative to the conventional complete mandibular denture. Fewer prosthetic complications were seen in overdentures retained with distal extension cantilever attachments.     

Immediately loaded bar-connected implants with an anodized surface inserted in the anterior mandible in a patient treated with diphosphonates for osteoporosis: a case report with a 12-month follow-up

Background: It has been suggested that tooth loss is greater in the osteoporotic patient population. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature about the use of dental implants in patients with osteoporosis. Diphosphonates are stable analogs of pyrophosphate, a physiologic regulator of calcification and bone resorption. Multiple implant failures have been reported in a patient undergoing treatment with diphosphonates. Recently, several clinical and experimental reports have shown that immediate loading of dental implants is possible in selected situations. Purpose: The aim of this case report was to present the clinical outcome of immediate loading of implants in a patient undergoing diphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis. Materials and Methods: In a 65‐year‐old patient undergoing diphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis, four implants were inserted in the anterior mandible. The implants were connected with a bar supporting an overdenture and were then loaded the same day. Results: No problems occurred in the postoperative period. At 1‐year follow‐up, all four of the implants appeared to be clinically osseointegrated, and no mobility was present. Minimal bone resorption was present around all implants. Conclusions: Our case report points to the fact that, contrary to what has been reported in the literature, it is possible to successfully insert and load immediately after surgery dental implants in a patient undergoing diphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis     

Maxillary anterior and mandibular posterior residual ridge resorption in patients wearing a mandibular implant-retained overdenture

The mandibular implant-retained overdenture could improve masticatory function compared to the conventional complete denture. However, increased forces exerted by the overdenture could increase residual ridge resorption of the maxillary anterior and mandibular posterior areas. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the mandibular implant-retained overdenture using two or four dental implants, or the conventional complete denture on resorption of the residual ridge of the maxillary anterior and mandibular posterior areas over a period of 10 years. In total, 120 patients, 30 patients treated with an overdenture on two implants (two-implant group), 30 patients with an overdenture on four implants (four-implant group) and 60 patients treated with a conventional full denture (conventional group), participated in this study. On panoramic radiographs, made before and 10 years after treatment, proportional area measurements were applied to determine changes in bone height. After 10 years, a statistically significant amount of bone resorption had occurred in the anterior maxilla in the two-implant group and in the four-implant group. A significant amount of bone resorption had occurred in the posterior mandible in all three groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in both areas. Patients presented large individual differences. It is concluded that patients rehabilitated with implant-retained mandibular overdentures are not subjected to more residual ridge resorption in the anterior maxilla when compared to patients wearing a conventional full denture. Regarding the mandibular posterior residual ridge, resorption was irrespective of wearing an implant-retained mandibular overdenture or a conventional mandibular denture.     

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.