Effect of immediate versus delayed loadings of dental implants on the oral health-related quality of life in Saudi population: Experimental clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of immediate and delayed loadings of dental implants on the overall quality of life (QoL) of patients. METHODS: The prospective analysis was conducted in the Department of Periodontology Clinics, Faculty of Dentistry Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted from November 2013 to August 2016 and was according to the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Quality of life in 24 patients (10 males and 14 females), aged between 18-60 years were assessed. Among the patients, 8 were opted for immediate implant loading (Group I), while 16 have opted for delayed implant loading (Group II). The quality of life was analyzed using a QoL assessment scale before and after the implant loading. RESULTS: Overall assessment revealed that the QoL among the patients immediately after loading of dental implant (Group I) was better as compared to the delayed loading of dental implant (Group II). The differences of functional and financial aspects were significant between both groups. The majority of the immediate implant’s loadings have been performed in the anterior aesthetic zone and has a significant impact on the QoL. CONCLUSION: The results concluded that immediate loading of dental implant is better than the delayed loading of a dental implant with a prosthesis.