A comparative study between early occlusal loading at 1 and 6 weeks in implant-retained mandibular overdentures

A clinical and a radiographic comparison of periimplant hard and soft tissue changes for the possible effects of early occlusal loading at 1 week versus 6 weeks. Twelve edentulous patients were treated with two unsplinted implant-retained mandibular overdentures. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In group I, implants were loaded 1 week after surgery, whereas in group II, implants were loaded 6 weeks after surgery. Clinical periimplant parameters and marginal bone height were recorded first day after loading then after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Clinical periimplant soft tissues parameters and marginal bone levels showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups during 12 months. Early loading after 1 and 6 weeks for two unsplinted implants retaining mandibular overdentures does not compromise periimplant soft tissue health and marginal bone levels.