Long‑term clinical outcomes of immediate loading versus nonimmediate loading in single‑implant restorations: An umbrella review

Abstract

Background: Immediate loading (IL) offers patients the advantage of reduced treatment time by
immediate prosthesis placement or 48 h after implantation. Non‑IL (NIL), on the other hand, involves
a recovery period to allow osseointegration. Both methods are widely used, but their long‑term
effectiveness remains controversial. This study provides an umbrella review of long‑term clinical
outcomes of immediate and NIL protocols in single‑implant restorations. This review combines and
analyzes the findings of several systematic reviews and meta‑analyses to evaluate implant survival
rate, bone stability, peri‑implant soft‑tissue health, and complications associated with each approach.
Materials and Methods: Systematic reviews and meta‑analyses published in the past two decades
were evaluated, and studies comparing immediate and NIL protocols with follow‑up periods of at
least 6 months were included in this comprehensive review. Using key terms such as “immediate
loading” OR “nonimmediate loading” OR “delay loading” AND “single‑implant restoration” * ” OR
“tooth implant*” OR “Dental Implant*,” valid national and international databases such as PubMed,
Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched to achieve the objectives of the study. After screening
the retrieved studies, information about the implant survival rate, marginal bone loss, peri‑implant
soft tissue health, and prosthetic complications were extracted.
Results: Immediate and NIL protocols showed a high long‑term implant survival rate, varying
between 92% and 98%. IL showed a slightly higher rate of marginal bone loss than NIL, especially
in the 1st year after implant placement. However, peri‑implant soft tissue health and overall patient
satisfaction were similar in both protocols. Moreover, IL can be equally successful in cases where
high initial implant stability is achieved. Yet, NIL remains the preferred choice in patients with
compromised bone quality or high‑risk conditions.
Conclusion: Our research demonstrates that both immediate and NIL protocols offer high long‑term implant survival rates (92% to 98%). While IL shows a slightly higher rate of marginal bone loss, particularly in the 1st year, it remains a viable option in cases with high initial implant stability. Peri‑implant soft‑tissue health and patient satisfaction were similar for both protocols. NIL continues to be the preferred approach for patients with compromised bone quality or high‑risk

conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of individualizing treatment plans based on implant stability and patient‑specific factors to optimize outcomes in single‑implant restorations.

Key Words: Dental implants, immediate loading, nonimmediate loading, single‑implant restorations

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Reza Khodadadi: Pubmed,Google Scholar