Authors : Ehab A. Elsaih
Volume : 58
Issue : 4
Year : 2012
Page No : 3598-3608
Purpose: This work was aimed to evaluate and compare the effect of early progressive and delayed loading of two implants retained mandibular overdentures regarding marginal bone changes and periotest values of implants supporting mandibular overdenture. Material and Methods: 24 completely edentulous male patients were selected from department of prosthodontics, Faculty of dentistry, Mansoura University. All systemic and radiographic examinations needed for implant planning and placement were performed. All patients received two implants at the mandibular canine regions. Directly after implant placement, the patients were divided equally into two equal groups as follows; Group I: after 3 months submerging period, implants were exposed and overdentures were attached to ball abutments via direct pick-up technique of female socket attachments (delayed loading), Group II: after 4 weeks of implant installation the mandibular overdenture was attached to implant ball abutment via resilient liner and replaced after another 4 weeks by direct pick-up technique of female socket attachments (early progressive Loading). Follow-up records were done at 6, 12 and 18 months intervals after implant loading with overdentures. Study parameters were radiographic evaluation of marginal bone height changes and implant mobility using periotest. Results: All implants were successful with respect to mobility test with no significant difference between both groups. Generally the mean marginal bone loss and heights changes, both vertically and horizontally, were comparable to the worldwide accepted range. In c