A comparative evaluation of immediate versus delayed loading of two implants with mandibular overdenture: An in vivo study

INTRODUCTION: Implant-supported overdenture has been a common treatment for edentulous patients for the past several years and predictably achieves good clinical results, especially in those patients who were uncomfortable with their conventional dentures, as they provide additional retention and support. The concept of immediate loading is more applicable to completely edentulous patients because of their functional and esthetic requirements. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the outcomes of immediate loading of mandibular two-implant-retained overdenture and compare it with the conventional delayed loading concept. METHOD: This in vivo study was conducted to compare immediate versus delayed loading of two implants with mandibular overdenture. A total of 20 completely edentulous patients (10 delayed loading and 10 immediate loading) were included in the study and certain parameters, i.e., bone loss around implants, periodontal pocket depth, pain and discomfort, implant stability, and microflora around implants, were measured immediately and after healing period of 3 and 6 months. RESULT: It can be analyzed from the observations that patients were more satisfied with delayed loading in terms of comfort, speech, function, pain, and chewing efficiency as compared to immediate loading. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that implants loaded under delayed protocol seem to have a higher success rate as compared to those that are loaded immediately.