Immediate Occlusal Loading of Osseotite® Implants in Mandibular Edentulous Patients: A Prospective Observational Report with 18-Month Data

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment consisting of placement and immediate occlusal loading of implants in 27 patients with edentulous mandibles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients were treated in two private practice settings. One hundred fifty-one implants were placed and immediately occlusally loaded with fixed implant prostheses (15 cement-retained, 12 screw-retained) on the day of implant placement. The implant-retained prostheses were inserted within 5 hours of implant placement. Patients were followed for at least 18 months. The required criteria for immediate occlusal loading was primary implant stability of at least 30 Ncm of insertion torque. The implant prostheses were removed at least 12 months post-placement and the implants were evaluated for primary clinical stability and radiographic bone apposition to implants. RESULTS: At the 12-month follow-up appointments, cumulative survival rates of 98.0% and 100% were recorded for implants and prostheses, respectively. Three implants failed within 3 months. All other implants were clinically successful. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate occlusal loading of multiple, splinted mandibular implants is an effective treatment when implants are stable at insertion and are rigidly splinted with implant-retained prostheses.