Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Short-Span Fixed Partial Dentures Supported by Two Immediately Placed Implants in the Anterior Mandible: A Long-Term Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: To report the implant survival rates and clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with a short-span fixed partial denture (FPD) supported by two immediately placed implants in the anterior mandible after 5+ years in function.

Materials and methods: A total of 100 individuals who had a short-span FPD supported by two immediately placed implants (n = 200) in the lateral incisor region of the mandible for long-term functional life with different loading protocols were chosen for this study. The participants were divided into the following three groups according to loading protocol after implant placement: group 1-immediate implant placement with loading protocol type A; group 2-immediate implant placement with loading protocol type B; and group 3-immediate implant placement with loading protocol type C. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), radiographic crestal bone level (CBL), and implant survival rate were evaluated.

Results: Three implants failed out of 200. The implants were in function an average of 7 years, and the overall survival rate was 98.5%. The mean PI was 24.86 in group 1, 24.45 in group 2, and 24.77 in group 3. Group 1 had a mean BOP of 29.48, group 2 had a mean BOP of 29.03, and group 3 had a mean BOP of 29.12. Group 1 had a mean PD of 2.03, group 2 had a mean PD of 2.09, and group 3 had a mean PD of 2.11. Additionally, group 1 had a mean radiographic CBL of 1.69 mm, group 2 had 1.56 mm, and group 3 had 1.57 mm. There was no significant difference among the three groups regarding PI, BOP, PD, CBL, or implant survival.

Conclusions: Within the limitations of this retrospective study, immediate loading for immediately placed dental implants in the mandibular lateral incisor region is a reliable dental rehabilitation option and represents a valid alternative to traditional delayed loading. Immediate implant placement with immediate loading can be advantageous for both patients and physicians. It can save cost and treatment time, and it might be a good alternative for patients who have high esthetic standards for their anterior mandible.