Purpose: To assess the clinical effectiveness of immediate nonfunctional loading for single-tooth implants placed in the anterior maxilla following augmentation with cancellous freeze-dried block graft.
Materials and methods: The clinical outcomes of immediately nonfunctionally loaded implants up to 18 months after placement in the anterior maxilla were evaluated in 11 consecutive patients. Implants were immediately restored with unsplinted acrylic resin provisional crowns. Follow-up was monthly, and intraoral radiographs were obtained immediately after implant placement and at 6, 12, and 18 months. Survival rate and radiographic marginal bone loss were evaluated at 0, 6, 12, and 18 months. In the anterior maxilla, 12 implants were placed.
Results: Marginal bone loss did not extend beyond the first thread up to 18 months follow-up, and the survival rate was 100%.
Conclusion: Within the limits of the present study, immediate nonfunctional loading for single-tooth implants placed in the anterior maxilla following augmentation with cancellous freeze-dried block graft seems a promising treatment alternative.