Immediate rehabilitation of the edentulous mandible with screw type implants: results after up to 10 years of clinical function.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective case series was to evaluate the results of an immediate loading concept using four Xi VE S plus implants in the edentulous mandible, after a period of up to 10 years of clinical function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients were treated with four implants each placed interforaminally and provisionally restored within 1 week. Radiographic bone levels, condition of the peri-implant mucosa, implant survival and success were recorded annually from implant insertion (baseline) up to 10 years after final restoration. RESULTS: A total of 120 Xi VE S plus implants were placed in the interforaminal region. A significant coronal bone loss of 1.80 mm (SD ± 0.65) was recorded within the first 8 years of function (P < 0.001). Within the next years no further significant increase of bone resorption was observed. The mean values of the plaque, calculus, bleeding and mucosal indices and probing depth remained low throughout this period. All implants were inserted with an insertion torque of more than 32 N cm. Two losses (1.7%) occurred prior to permanent restoration (1 and 3 months post-insertion), resulting in a survival rate of 98.3% over the entire observation period. Four implants were recorded as failures due to excessive bone resorption, resulting in an overall success rate of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that in selected patients immediate restoration of dental implants in the edentulous mandible will achieve a clinically predictable outcome.