JOMI Thematic Abstract Review: Sep/Oct 2019

Role of Immediate Loading Continues to Evolve to New Applications

The concept of immediate loading has been within the domain of implant dentistry for about the past 20 years. As this approach moved from full-arch to more single-tooth applications, the scope of expanded services was made available to more providers, and the clinical approach has provided enhanced benefits to patients. As the therapeutic approach has evolved, there is more interest in reducing the complexity of care. One approach has been to use fewer implants. Mezzari et al (2019) presented a case series over 5 years using three implants for the edentulous mandible and demonstrated satisfactory implant outcomes, although a high level of prosthetic complication was reported. Biologically, the response to immediate loading was evaluated by Denardi et al (2019). Using a systematic review approach, the authors observed that ongoing bone remodeling occurred around oral implants in a manner similar to the healing models anticipated around socket healing. Meijer et al (2019) also evaluated the impact of the residual wall thickness. The study emphasized the key role in site evaluation and residual bone thickness for predictable healing. The long-term outcomes are also important, and Nicolau et al (2019) presented 10-year data on one implant system that was immediately loaded and showed very predictable long-term outcomes. For early and immediate loading in the posterior arches, Rossi et al (2018) showed strong outcomes for short 6-mm implants at 10 years for posterior tooth replacement. Hattingh et al (2018) followed with a clinical evaluation for the “ultra-wide” implants that have come on the market for molar replacement therapy. Within the confines of this particular study, the authors indicated good success. Implant therapy continues to evolve in implant design, therapeutic approaches, and application to a wider array of clinical applications.

Clark M. Stanford, DDS, PhD

Thematic Abstract Review Section Editor
Clark M. Stanford, DDS, PhD
The University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Abstracts referenced:

Mezzari LM, Primo BT, Bavaresco CS, Caminha R, Rivaldo EG. Rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible with an immediately loaded full-arch fixed prosthesis supported by three implants: A 5-year retrospective analysis. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants 2019;34:719–725.

Denardi RJ, da Silva RD, Thomé G, et al. Bone response after immediate placement of implants in the anterior maxilla: A systematic review. Oral Maxillofac Surg 2019;23:13–25.

Meijer HJA, Slagter KW, Vissink A, Raghoebar GM. Buccal bone thickness at dental implants in the maxillary anterior region with large bony defects at time of immediate implant placement: A 1-year cohort study. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2019;21:
73–79.

Nicolau P, Guerra F, Reis R, Krafft T, Benz K, Jackowski J. 10-year outcomes with immediate and early loaded implants with a chemically modified SLA surface. Quintessence Int 2019;50:114–124.

Rossi F, Lang NP, Ricci E, Ferraioli L, Baldi N, Botticelli D. Long-term follow-up of single crowns supported by short, moderately rough implants—A prospective 10-year cohort study. Clin Oral Implants Res 2018;29:1212–1219.

Hattingh A, Hommez G, De Bruyn H, Huyghe M, Vandeweghe S. A prospective study on ultra-wide diameter dental implants for immediate molar replacement. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2018;20:1009–1015.

This article was originally published in the September/October 2019 edition (Vol 34, issue 5) of The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants.

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