Early Loading of Titanium Dental Implants with Hydroxyl Ion Modified Surface: A 12-Month Prospective Clinical Trial

Abstract

(1) Background: implant surface topology and active hydrophilic ions could have some benefit on implant osteointegration and stability; (2) methods: 40 adult patients, suffering from a single missing tooth in the aesthetic zone, were enrolled in the study. Each patient had a single titanium implant (Thommen SPI®lement) inserted. The implant surface was obtained through conditioning using the Apliquiq system. Patients were divided into two equal groups depending on the implant’s diameter (3.5 and 4.0 mm). Each implant was loaded within four weeks. Stability levels, using the Ostell device, were checked immediately after implant placement and in four weeks; additionally, marginal bone loss (MBL) was calculated based on 12 months; (3) results: all implants survived the study. The average primary stability achieved for both groups was initially 71.59 ISQ (±4.04) and declined to 69.94 ISQ (±3.29) in four weeks. The average MBL was 0.2 mm (±0.88). There were no statistically important differences between groups. There was a positive correlation between the patient’s age and implant stability quotient (ISQ) values; (4) conclusions: hydrophilic surface implants can be used in a protocol for early functional occlusal loading. Higher values of primary stability positively influence the values of secondary stability, and the age of the patient affects the values of implant stability.