Abstract
Long-term evidence of immediate loading of dental implants with bar overdentures is lacking.
The purpose of this clinical study was to assess the clinical outcomes of immediate and conventional loading protocols of mandibular overdentures supported by 2 dental implants 14 years after initial placement.
Two groups of edentulous patients who received two TiUnite implants were enrolled in this study. In the experimental group (n=35), the implants were loaded immediately. In the control group (n=16), the conventional delayed loading protocol was followed. Participants of both the groups were treated with overdentures supported by a standardized resilient bar mechanism. Clinical oral health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction outcomes were recorded for 14 years after initial placement of implants and measured at various stages of treatment.
Significant improvements in all outcomes were observed in both the groups compared with baseline, and this improvement was sustained over the duration of the study. No differences were noted in any of the study outcomes between the 2 groups.
Both the loading approaches provide comparable short- and long-term results. The results of this study confirm that immediate loading of implant-supported overdentures is a predictable treatment approach. Future studies should focus on assessing long-term clinical outcomes with mandibular overdentures in nonsplinted applications.