The immediate loading of Osseotite® implants : a clinical and histological assessment 4 months after being brought into function

Aim of the study

It is apparent that high percentage success rates are obtained following immediate or early loading of endosseous implants. Nevertheless, clinical studies that evaluate this approach give mainly short term results, based on clinical mobility and radiographic examination, on a small number of patients. This article reports the histological examination of two implants that were brought into immediate function and removed four months later.

Materials and methods

Twelve Osseotite^® implants were placed in the mandible of a 61-year-old male patient. Six implants were immediately used as a support for a provisional bridge whilst the other six remained submerged. At the time of exposure of the submerged implants, after four months healing, two of the implants that had been loaded immediately were removed with a trephine and examined histologically. The remaining ten implants were used as abutments for a new bridge.

Conclusion

All the implants that were brought into function immediately showed clinical and radiographic osseointegration. The two implants that were studied histologically showed bone-implant contact varying from 78 % to 85 % as far as the threaded portion with old and new bone at the interface and without any epithelial migration. The immediate loading did not impede osseointegration or bone remodelling at the Osseotite surface.

Commentary

This histological analysis of implants brought into function 4 hours after their placement showed excellent osseointegration four months later. The fact of having a large number of implants connected together, supporting a complete upper prosthesis in this patient, undoubtedly reduced the mechanical constraints when they were loaded. The results of similar histological examinations of single implants would be interesting in the context of less favourable occlusal situations.