Marginal bone loss of immediately loaded narrow diameter implants placed in fresh extraction sockets of mandibular incisors

Aim The aesthetic success of implant therapy in the anterior sites is determined by the respect of the soft and hard tissue integrity, the fundamental peri-implant structures required for  tissue stability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 1-year marginal bone level changes of immediately loaded narrow diameter implants (NDI) with conical implant-abutment connection and platform switching that were placed in fresh extraction sockets of mandibular incisors. 

Materials and methods Twenty narrow implants were immediately loaded after placement in fresh extraction sockets for the replacement of single lower incisors. To evaluate interproximal bone peak changes around the implants, standardized periapical radiographs were performed at t0 (placement), t1 (4-month healing), and t2 (1-year after loading the final restoration). All data were subjected to statistical analysis using Student’s t-test (p<0.01). 

Results No implant failure or complications were recorded throughout the duration of the study. The mean bone loss at t2 on the mesial proximal aspect of implants was 0.227±0.13 mm, and was 0.174±0.24mm on the distal proximal aspect. The p-values for mesial and distal bone loss were not statistically significant at t1 and t2. An average peri-implant bone loss of 0.337 mm was recorded for the duration of the study interval (16 months). 

Conclusion Our study revealed no significant changes in interproximal bone peaks one year after the functional loading of immediately loaded NDI for replacement of mandibular incisors with conical connection and platform switching placed in fresh extraction sockets.