Background: Several investigators have reported high survival rates for early or immediately loaded dental implants.
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to analyze histologically the periimplant tissue reactions and the bone-titanium interface of clinically retrieved immediately loaded titanium implants.
Materials and methods: Eleven implants were inserted in the posterior jaw regions of six patients, serving as the most distal abutments of fixed provisional bridges and subjected to immediate occlusal loading. After a 10-month loading period, all 11 implants were retrieved with a trephine.
Results: Mature bone was present at the interface of all implants. Some vertical bone loss was observed; this was more pronounced for cylindric implants. The bone-implant contact was approximately 60 to 65% for all implants.
Conclusions: The results demonstrate that osseointegration of dental implants can occur during immediate loading.