Immediate non-occlusal loading of single implants in the aesthetic zone: a randomized clinical trial

den Hartog L, Raghoebar GM, Stellingsma K, Vissink A, Meijer HJA. Immediate non‐occlusal loading of single implants in the aesthetic zone: a randomized clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol 2011; 38: 186–194. doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐051X.2010.01650.x. Aim: This study compared the outcome of immediate non‐occlusal loading with conventional loading for single implants in the maxillary aesthetic zone. It was hypothesized that immediate non‐occlusal loading is not inferior to conventional loading. Materials and Methods: Sixty‐two patients with a missing maxillary anterior tooth were randomly assigned to be treated with an implant that was either restored with a non‐occluding temporary crown within 24 h after implant placement (the “immediate group”) or was restored according to a two‐stage procedure after 3 months (the “conventional group”). All implants were installed in healed sites. Follow‐up visits were conducted after 6 and 18 months post‐implant placement. Outcome measures were radiographic marginal bone‐level changes, survival, soft tissue aspects (probing depth, plaque, bleeding, soft tissue level), aesthetics and patient satisfaction. Results: No significant differences were found between both study groups regarding marginal bone loss (immediate group 0.91 ± 0.61 mm, conventional group 0.90 ± 0.57 mm), survival (immediate group 96.8%: one implant lost, conventional group 100%), soft tissue aspects, aesthetic outcome and patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study (sample size, follow‐up duration), it was demonstrated that, for single implants in the anterior maxilla, the outcome of immediate non‐occlusal loading was not less favourable than conventional loading.