Immediate loading of single tooth: case report and review of the literature

Aim This was to report a case of immediate loading of a single tooth implant analyzing aesthetic and functional outcomes; a review of the recent literature on the outcomes of immediately loaded single tooth implants is presented, reporting survival rates and providing a classification about success rates of each implant type, in order to define remaining questions requring further investigation in future researches. Materials and methods A case of single tooth replacement and immediate loading with switching platform technique is reported. Moreover 78 scientific texts were selected with the key words "immediate loading single tooth". Of these only 45 articles specifically analyzed single tooth immediately loaded dental implant; 16 of 45 were available in full text and were therefore investigated. Results The immediate loading of dental implants is well documented in the literature. Several clinical trials show that overall implant survival and success rates are influenced by parameters such as implant design, surface characteristic, bone properties and bone augmentation, implant area placement (upper or lower jaw) and postextraction conditions. However, in single tooth replacement with immediate loading aesthetics (especially in the front area) and functionality (posterior area of the jaw) must be considered. Conclusion This case report and the literature review demonstrated that scientific documentation of implant survival influenced by timing of loading is rather debated. Most of the reported outcome analyses primarily focus on implant survival and follow up. Future researches should analyze how the immediate loading can influence implant success.