Evaluation of Crestal Bone Loss in Implant-Retained Mandibular Overdentures With Locator Attachments: Immediate VS. Delayed Loading Protocols

Objective The research sought to assess the effects of loading dental implants immediately compared to using a delayed loading approach on peri-implant crestal bone loss in patients wearing implant-retained lower dentures with locator attachments (after six months and 12 months). Subjects and methods A group of twenty fully edentulous patients was randomly chosen and divided equally between two groups (n=10): Group I, delayed loading (DLO) received a delayed-loaded implant-retained mandibular overdenture with a locator attachment, while Group II, immediate loading (ILO) received an immediately loaded implant-retained lower overdenture with a locator system. The loss of bone around the implant at the crest level was evaluated utilizing intra-oral digital radiographs obtained through the long cone paralleling technique at the time of implant loading, six months, and 12 months after loading. The statistical analysis of the results was performed through the Mann-Whitney U-test and Wilcoxon's signed-rank tests, with significance set at P≤0.05. Results The findings showed no statistically significant differences in bone loss around the implant crest between immediate and delayed loading approaches (P≤0.05). Conclusion Within the limitations of the present study, it is concluded that the peri-implant crestal bone loss associated with the immediate loading protocol for implant-retained mandibular overdentures utilizing locator attachments demonstrated no statistically significant difference when compared to the delayed loading protocol at the one-year follow-up period.