Maxillary restoration with complete maxillary prosthesis supported by implants with immediate loading: clinical retrospective study of 48 cases

Introduction: In recent years, the immediate loading procedure for the rehabilitation of edentulous jaws has gained popularity among patients and practitioners. The purpose of this study was to evaluate implant and prosthetic success rates for the rehabilitation of edentulous maxillae using tilted distal implants and immediate loading of prostheses, after 2 years. Material and method: Patients included in the study received a complete prosthesis of the upper arch, attached to 4, 5 or 6 implants. The provisional prosthesis was fixed the same day the implants were placed. After a period of osseointegration, the provisional prosthesis was replaced by a definitive prosthesis with a titanium framework made using computer-aided design/computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. Judgment criteria were the implant success rate, the provisional prosthesis success rate, and the definitive prosthetic success rate. Results: Two hundred and forty-two implants were placed in 48 patients. Five implants were lost, resulting in an implant survival at 2 years of 97.9%. Two provisional fixed prosthesis had to be temporarily replaced by a removable solution, resulting in a provisional prosthesis success rate of 95.8%. The definitive prosthesis success rate was 100%. Discussion: Use of a provisional prosthesis during the osseointegration period is essential, both for the preparation of the final prosthesis as well as for proper management of potential implant failures. Implant failures are more easily managed if at least five implants were originally placed