Immediate and Early Loading of Oxidized Tapered Implants in the Partially Edentulous Maxilla: A 1-Year Prospective Clinical, Radiographic, and Resonance Frequency Analysis Study

ABSTRACT Background: The use of immediate/early implant loading protocols offers obvious advantages for the patient. Although well documented in the totally edentulous mandible, information about clinical outcomes from such protocols in the partially edentate maxilla is lacking. Purpose: The present study was conducted to clinically and radiographically evaluate a tapered implant design with an oxidized surface for immediate/early loading in the partially edentulous maxilla. The aim was also to correlate implant stability measurements using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) with implant diameter and length, bone quality and quantity, and marginal bone levels and marginal bone loss. Materials and Methods: A total of 32 patients with a need of implant treatment in their partially edentulous maxilla were included in the study. A total of 53 Replace Select TiUnite™ implants (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) were used in the study; 16 for single tooth replacements in 16 patients and 37 implants for partial bridges in another 16 patients. The single tooth replacements were loaded the same day with a temporary crown, while permanent partial bridges were delivered within 16 days. Intraoral radiographs were taken at surgery and after 1 year for marginal bone measurements. RFA measurements were performed at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months. Results: One implant used for a single tooth replacement failed, giving an overall survival rate of 98.1% after 1 year. On average, 1.1 mm (SD 1.0) bone was lost during 1 year; 1.5 mm (SD 1.0) in single tooth and 0.9 mm (SD 1.0) in partial cases. The implant stability increased with time from 63.3 implant stability quotient (ISQ) (SD 6.1) at baseline to 64.3 (SD 5.3), 65.0 (SD 4.6), and 66.8 (SD 5.6) after 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. The average change from baseline to 1 year was 3.3 ISQ (SD 5.0) and was statistically significant (p