Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Use of dental implants for replacement of missing tooth changed the face of prosthetic dentistry. Numerous practitioners now advocate immediate loading of implants. Hence; the present study was undertaken for comparing the bone loss of the immediate versus delayed loading of dental implants. Materials & methods: A total of 40 patients with presence of mobile mandibular first molar were included in the present study. All the patients were divided broadly into two study groups with 20 patients in each group as follows: Group A: Immediate loading dental implant group, Group B: Delayed loading dental implant group. In group A, immediate loading dental implants were placed. Post-implant surgery, radiographs were taken and crestal bone levels around dental implant were assessed radiographically. Group B patients were recalled after 2 months of extraction. Delayed loading implants were placed in them and crestal bone levels around dental implants were assessed. All the patients were recalled after one year and crestal bone levels were assessed again. Results: Crestal bone levels among the patients of group A and group B immediately after placement of dental implants were 8.92 mm and 8.86 mm respectively. On one year follow-up, the mean crestal bone levels among Group A and group B patients were found to be 7.90 mm and 7.74 mm respectively. Non-significant results were obtained while comparing the crestal bone loss among immediate loading and delayed loading dental implants. Conclusion: Amount of crestal bone loss is similar in both the immediate loading and delayed loading dental implants. Hence; immediate loading implants should be preferred as they reduce the time delay for functional rehabilitation. Key words: Delayed loading, Immediate loading, Dental implant.