Immediate loading of bimaxillary total fixed prostheses supported by five flapless placed implants with machined surfaces: A 6 month follow up prospective single cohort study.
PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical outcome of fully edentulous patients rehabilitated with immediately loaded bimaxillary screw retained metal resin prostheses supported by five implants placed flapless: two in the mandible and three in the maxillae. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty five consecutively treated patients were recruited. To be immediately loaded, implants had to be inserted with a minimum torque of 80 Ncm. Outcome measures were prosthesis and implant failures, and complications. RESULTS Six months after loading no patients dropped out and no prosthesis or implant failed. Two maxillary prostheses were loaded early at 8 weeks because implants were inserted with a torque inferior to 45 Ncm. Three complications occurred in two patients but they were all successfully treated. CONCLUSIONS Six months after loading, immediately loaded bimaxillary cross arch prostheses can be supported by only two mandibular and three maxillary flapless placed dental implants. Longer follow ups of approximately 10 years are needed to understand the prognosis of this treatment modality.
European journal of oral implantology