Loading of Titanium Implants With Hydrophilic Endosteal Surface 3 Weeks After Insertion: Clinical and Radiological Outcome of a 12-Month Prospective Clinical Trial

Purpose The aim of this study was to test whether early loading (21 days after insertion) of implants with a hydrophilic surface is safe and reliable in a general clinical practice setting. Patients and Methods This was a prospective multicenter clinical trial conducted in 3 independent surgical practices. Patients were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Implants were placed in posterior regions into healed alveoli and native bone using a 1-stage (unsubmerged) surgical protocol. Loading was to be performed 21 days thereafter. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically for 1 year. Results Twenty-one patients who received 23 implants were followed for 1 year. None of the osseointegrated implants were lost. One broken provisional crown was reported during the trial period. The crestal bone remained remarkably stable (ie, approximately 1 mm below the microgap). The most coronal bone-to-implant contact stabilized at the level of the first implant thread just beneath the machined collar. Conclusion Within the limitations of this clinical study, the authors confirmed that loading of implants with a hydrophilic surface 3 weeks after placement appears to be a safe and predictable treatment option. No crestal bone loss was observed 1 year after implant placement. Therefore, it appears that crestal bone loss is dependent on the design features of the specific implant line.