OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical feasibility and technical characteristics of immediate loading and to access the short-term clinical results of treatment.

METHODSThis study included 3 completely edentulous patients and 24 patients who were partially edentulous from March 1999 to December 2003. 21 implants were immediately loaded and provided support for mandibular overdenture for 3 fully edentulous patients. 30 implants were placed in 21 partially edentulous patients and implants were immediate loaded in edentulous mandibular providing support for fixed provisional prosthesis within 6 months. Then, metal-ceramic crowns were completed. All patients were followed up by 1, 3, 6, 12 months and the patients were checked every 12 months.

RESULTSA total of 42 implants were loaded immediately. From March 1999 to December 2003, no implants were lost during follow-up (range 3 to 49 months, mean of 28 months). No infections, nerve or sinus damage or other sequelae occurred. No implants exhibited peri-implant radiolucencies. Moreover, immediate loading seems to increase the ossification of the alveolar bone around endosseous implants. Patients were satisfied with the treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe data and the experience described in this study indicate that immediate loading with restorations using appropriate surgical and restorative techniques can predicate the completely edentulous and partially edentulous mandible in some cases. Further study is needed to determine the long-term result of immediately loaded implants.