Retrospective study on duration of Loading on Marginal Bone Loss Around Dental Implants
Keywords:
Dental implants, Marginal bone loss, Functional loading, Delayed loading, Retrospective studyAbstract
Background: Marginal bone loss (MBL) is a critical parameter in evaluating the long-term success of dental implants. Several factors influence MBL, including the timing of functional loading. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the duration of prosthetic loading and marginal bone loss around dental implants in a retrospective cohort.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 dental implants placed in 75 patients treated between January 2018 and December 2022. Based on the time interval between implant placement and prosthetic loading, implants were grouped into three categories: early loading (<2 months), conventional loading (2–4 months), and delayed loading (>4 months). Digital periapical radiographs taken at baseline (prosthesis placement) and at 12-month follow-up were used to measure marginal bone levels using standardized software. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test to compare mean MBL among the three groups.
Results: The average marginal bone loss after 12 months was 1.42 ± 0.25 mm in the early loading group, 1.10 ± 0.19 mm in the conventional loading group, and 0.86 ± 0.21 mm in the delayed loading group. A statistically significant difference in MBL was observed among the groups (p < 0.001), with the delayed loading group showing the least bone loss. Pairwise comparisons indicated significant differences between early vs. delayed (p < 0.001) and early vs. conventional loading (p = 0.004), but not between conventional and delayed loading (p = 0.067).
Conclusion: The timing of functional loading significantly affects marginal bone preservation around dental implants. Delayed loading appears to be associated with reduced bone loss at one year post-restoration. Careful consideration of loading protocols may enhance implant longevity and peri-implant bone stability.
Downloads
References
Bilhan H, Mumcu E, Arat S. The role of timing of loading on later marginal bone loss around dental implants: a retrospective clinical study. J Oral Implantol. 2010;36(5):363–76. doi:10.1563/AAID-JOI-D-09-00078.
Cehreli MC, Uysal S, Akca K. Marginal bone level changes and prosthetic maintenance of mandibular overdentures supported by 2 implants: a 5-year randomized clinical trial. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2010;12(2):114–21. doi:10.1111/j.1708-8208.2008.00143.x.
Bilhan H, Mumcu E, Arat S. The comparison of marginal bone loss around mandibular overdenture-supporting implants with two different attachment types in a loading period of 36 months. Gerodontology. 2011;28(1):49–57. doi:10.1111/j.1741-2358.2009.00334.x.
Stricker A, Gutwald R, Schmelzeisen R, Gellrich NG. Immediate loading of 2 interforaminal dental implants supporting an overdenture: clinical and radiographic results after 24 months. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2004;19(6):868–72.
De Smet E, Duyck J, Vander Sloten J, Jacobs R, Naert I. Timing of loading--immediate, early, or delayed--in the outcome of implants in the edentulous mandible: a prospective clinical trial. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2007;22(4):580–94.
Sennerby L, Rocci A, Becker W, Jonsson L, Johansson LA, Albrektsson T. Short-term clinical results of Nobel Direct implants: a retrospective multicentre analysis. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2008;19(3):219–26. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0501.2007.01410.x.
Akca K, Cehreli MC, Uysal S. Marginal bone loss and prosthetic maintenance of bar-retained implant-supported overdentures: a prospective study. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2010;25(1):137–45.
Behneke A, Behneke N, d'Hoedt B. A 5-year longitudinal study of the clinical effectiveness of ITI solid-screw implants in the treatment of mandibular edentulism. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2002;17(6):799–810.
Turkyilmaz I, Tözüm TF, Tumer C. Early versus delayed loading of mandibular implant-supported overdentures: 5-year results. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2010;12 Suppl 1:e39–46. doi:10.1111/j.1708-8208.2009.00218.x.
Brochu JF, Anderson JD, Zarb GA. The influence of early loading on bony crest height and stability: a pilot study. Int J Prosthodont. 2005;18(6):506–12.
Turkyilmaz I, Tözüm TF, Tumer C, Ozbek EN. A 2-year clinical report of patients treated with two loading protocols for mandibular overdentures: early versus conventional loading. J Periodontol. 2006;77(12):1998–2004. doi:10.1902/jop.2006.060115.
Finne K, Rompen E, Toljanic J. Clinical evaluation of a prospective multicenter study on 1-piece implants. Part 1: marginal bone level evaluation after 1 year of follow-up. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2007;22(2):226–34.
Assad AS, Hassan SA, Shawky YM, Badawy MM. Clinical and radiographic evaluation of implant-retained mandibular overdentures with immediate loading. Implant Dent. 2007;16(2):212–23. doi:10.1097/ID.0b013e318065a95f.
Patsiatzi E, Malden N, Ibbetson R. A radiographic review of bone levels around Calcitek dental implants supporting mandibular over-dentures. Preliminary results at 3 to 6 years. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 2006;14(4):169–73.
Meijer HJ, Batenburg RH, Raghoebar GM, Vissink A. Mandibular overdentures supported by two Brånemark, IMZ or ITI implants: a 5-year prospective study. J Clin Periodontol. 2004;31(7):522–6. doi:10.1111/j.1600-051X.2004.00510.x.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
