Immediate versus nonimmediate placement of implants for full-arch fixed restorations: a preliminary study.

PURPOSE

To compare the success rates, after 1 year of loading, for implants placed immediately after tooth extraction and in healed sites in patients undergoing extraction of all residual teeth for rehabilitation with a fixed, full-arch, implant-supported prosthesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective case series study was conducted of 38 patients treated from June 2004 to June 2008 by extraction of all remaining teeth and implant placement in both mature bone and at the extraction site in the same procedure. After osteointegration, the implants were restored with fixed full-arch prostheses. The marginal bone loss around the implants was measured after 1 year. The success rate according to Buser criteria was calculated for the immediate and nonimmediate implants.

RESULTS

A total of 41 arches were restored in 30 patients, 23 in the maxilla and 18 in the mandible. A total of 292 implants were placed, 173 immediately and 119 in mature bone. Of the 292 implants, 8 failed, 4 in the immediate group and 4 in the nonimmediate group. The mean bone loss was 0.6 mm at 1 year of loading (0.63 ± 0.18 mm at the immediate implant sites and 0.58 ± 0.26 in mature bone). The mean success rate was 96.9% overall, 97.7% for the immediate group, and 96.3% for the nonimmediate group.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced bone healing and remodeling can take place in fresh extraction socket defects associated with immediately placed implants. The results of the present study have demonstrated that immediate implant osseointegration can be as, or more, successful than nonimmediate implantation during the same healing period.