Early functional loading of sand-blasted and acid-etched (SLA) Straumann implants following immediate placement in maxillary extraction sockets. Clinical and radiographic result.

OBJECTIVES

To present the clinical and radiographic outcome of early loading of implants inserted into fresh extraction sockets and to present a treatment protocol for early loading of the implants by 'passively fitting' abutment-free permanent fixed complete dentures (implant FCDs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 19 dentate patients treatment planned for extraction of all remaining maxillary teeth. In all, 116 Straumann-implants with sandblasted, large grit and acid etched (SLA) surface were placed: 77 (66%) inserted in fresh extraction sockets and 39 (34%) in healed bone. At least six implants were placed in each maxilla. One hundred and ten implants were loaded by permanent FCDs within 10 days after placements and six after 14 days. The patients were reexamined clinically and radiographically after 2-3 years of clinical function. All FCDs were removed for control of implant stability and evaluation of the peri-implant status.

RESULTS

Owing to framework fracture, two implants were lost, corresponding to a failure rate of 2%. The radiographic measurements after 2-3 years did not reveal any difference in bone height mesial and distal of the implants placed in extraction sockets vs. in healed bone. This was interpreted as a bone gain around the implants placed in extraction sockets and a slight bone loss around the implants placed in healed bone.

CONCLUSION

Early functional loading of SLA-surfaced implants following immediate placement in maxillary extraction sockets by rigid and passively fitting permanent implant FCDs is a reliable treatment alternative.