Immediate functional load of mandibular implant overdentures: A surgical and prosthodontic rationale of 2 implant modalities

Classic guidelines in osseointegration for root-form dental implants include a long healing period, during which functional load should be avoided. However, the long healing period might impose an intolerable situation on some patients, especially in the completely edentulous situation. Subperiosteal dental implant guidelines demonstrate that the implant upon insertion can be put into immediate function and be restored with the final prosthesis soon after surgery. Studies on immediately functional loaded implant-supported prostheses in patients who are completely edentulous have been reported, exhibiting high success rates comparable with conventionally loaded implants. This article describes the surgical and prosthodontic procedure for the immediately functional loaded mandibular implant overdentures in 2 different dental implant modalities, as well as its clinical rationale.