Purpose: To evaluate the influence of immediate loading on osseointegration and bone density of
implants installed in a healed alveolar bone crest and supporting single crowns. Materials and
Methods: Two solid titanium transmucosal mini-screws were inserted in the distal regions of the
mandible in 14 patients. One mini-implant was immediately functionally loaded, whereas the other was
left unloaded. After two months of healing, biopsies were retrieved and new bone, old bone, and total
bone (new and old bone) were assessed. Results: Histological examination was performed on biopsies
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from 12 patients (n=12). New bone-to-implant contact percentage (BIC%) was 40.3 ± 16.8 % and 55.1
± 19.1 % (p=0.043) at the unloaded and loaded sites, respectively, while the total BIC% was 44.9 ±
17.0 % and 59.5 ± 18.8 %, respectively (p=0.034). The new bone density was 45.9 ± 11.6 % and 45.9 ±
16.7 % in the unloaded and loaded implants, respectively (p=0.622). Conclusions: Immediate loading
positively affected bone apposition on the implant surface, while no effect on bone density was
observed after 2 months of healing.
Schlagwörter: immediate dental implant loading, implant supported prosthesis, clinical trial, osseointegration, biopsy