Immediate vs. Delayed end osseous integration of maxi implants: A Radiographic study in dogs

Statement of the problem: Delayed loading is one of the anxieties of implant patients. Immediate loading can solve the problem and make patients more satisfied. Purpose: The present study was aimed to compare the marginal bone level in periapical radiographs of maxi implants under different loading (immediate and delayed) patterns. Materials and methods: This split mouth experimental study included ۲ dogs. Impressions were made and then, all premolars were extracted under general anesthesia. After a three month healing period, ۳ implants were inserted in each quadrant (۲۴ implants). Anterior and posterior implants (case group) were splinted by an acrylic temporary bridge. In order to make middle implants (control group) off the occlusion, parallel long cone technique was used to assess the marginal bone level at base line and ۴۲ days post loading. Data were analyzed using t- test (α=۰.۰۵). Results: Mean bone loss values for the case and the control groups were respectively -۰.۵۲±۰.۵۳ and -۰.۴۴±۰.۴۰ (P=۰.۶۶۷). Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, it may be concluded that immediate loading has negative effect on implant bone loss and delayed loading protocol is supported.