Clinical and histologic findings for microimplants placed in one stage and loaded for three months: a case report.
BACKGROUND: Implants are placed in either one or two stages. There is an absence of histologic human evidence relating to implant integration after loading. PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report was to present clinical and histologic findings for smooth-surfaced titanium turned microimplants placed in one stage and loaded after healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five one-piece microimplants were placed in a fully edentulous mandible. Three microimplants (tests) were placed in one stage and extended through the keratinized mucosa for 3 mm. Two additional microimplants (controls) were placed even with the mucosa. After 3 months of healing, three test implants were loaded for an additional 3 months. At this time, three loaded implants and one control were removed en bloc. RESULTS: Histologic and histometric evaluations were made. For all specimens, there was excellent bone-to-implant contact. The loaded implants had from two to four exposed threads. Using marginal bone levels as the reference, the highest percentage of bone-to-implant contact was noted with the unloaded control implant (92.2%). One nonaxially loaded implant had 66.9% bone-to-implant contact, whereas the axially loaded implants (n = 2) had 77.8% bone-to-implant contact. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this case report, smooth-surfaced, titanium threaded microimplants placed in one stage and loaded for 3 months demonstrated excellent osseointegration, with varying bone-to-implant contact. The amount of bone-to-implant contact may be related to axial implant loading.