Instantaneous dental implant loading technique by fixed dentures: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background. In the context of dental prostheses, splinting multiple implants together may improve their stability. The approach may be especially favorable when performing immediate loading procedures, in-creasing the implant osseointegration rate, and reducing the risk of implant and prosthetic failure. The instantaneous loading technique (ILT) involves creating a metal framework to splint the implants by intra-orally welding them pair-by-pair, using purposefully created abutments. Objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate the prosthetic success when using ILT to rehabilitate partially edentulous patients through immediately loaded prostheses. Material and methods. Clinical records of patients treated with ILT were retrospectively assessed, and the prosthetic success rate was analyzed in terms of fractures, chipping, unscrewing, screw fracture rate, and mucositis. Furthermore, the implant success rates were evaluated by measuring marginal bone loss (MBL). Results. A total of 55 patients (20 males and 35 females with a mean age of 59.8 ±9.4 years), cor-responding to 66 prostheses, were included. A total of 160 implants were placed. At the last follow-up (39.6 ±28.4 months), 1 patient (1.8%; 1 prosthesis (1.5%)) showed the fracture of the prosthesis mate-rial. Peri-implantitis affected 4 implants (2.5%), and 4 more implants (2.5%) showed radiolucency, affecting 5 patients (9.1%). Two other patients (3.6%) suffered from mucositis. The implant success rate, according to the Albrektsson and Zarb criteria, was 94.4%. No implants were lost. The mean MBL values at the implant level, the prosthesis level and the patient level were 0.28 ±0.56 mm, 0.30 ±0.51 mm and 0.33 ±0.54 mm, respectively. Conclusions. The instantaneous loading technique appears to be a viable approach to rehabilitating partially edentulous patients through immediate loading.