Loading of titanium implants with hydrophilic endosteal surface 3 weeks after insertion: clinical and radiological outcome of a 12-month prospective clinical trial.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to test whether early loading (21 days after insertion) of implants with a hydrophilic surface is safe and reliable in a general clinical practice setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter clinical trial conducted in 3 independent surgical practices. Patients were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Implants were placed in posterior regions into healed alveoli and native bone using a 1-stage (unsubmerged) surgical protocol. Loading was to be performed 21 days thereafter. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically for 1 year. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients who received 23 implants were followed for 1 year. None of the osseointegrated implants were lost. One broken provisional crown was reported during the trial period. The crestal bone remained remarkably stable (ie, approximately 1 mm below the microgap). The most coronal bone-to-implant contact stabilized at the level of the first implant thread just beneath the machined collar. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this clinical study, the authors confirmed that loading of implants with a hydrophilic surface 3 weeks after placement appears to be a safe and predictable treatment option. No crestal bone loss was observed 1 year after implant placement. Therefore, it appears that crestal bone loss is dependent on the design features of the specific implant line.