Immediate versus Delayed Loading of Mandibular Implant Retained Overdentures: A 12 Year Follow-up of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Both immediate and delayed loading protocols demonstrated comparable long-term patient comfort, patient satisfaction, clinical and radiographic performance when applied to two non-splinted, locator-retained implants supporting a mandibular overdenture. Within the limitations of the present investigation, immediate loading may represent a reliable and potentially favorable treatment approach for mandibular overdentures in appropriately selected cases. Significant prosthetic complications were noted in both groups, which highlights the importance of regular recall and prosthetic maintenance for long-term success.