Immediate Loading of Implants-Supported Fixed Partial Prostheses in Posterior Regions: A Systematic Review.

Background

Modern dentistry strives to achieve increasingly less invasive procedures as the ultimate therapeutic goal. The careful selection of suitable candidates for immediate dental implants can offer an opportunity to reduce treatment time, lower the relative costs and improve overall patient satisfaction.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in March 2025, without any time restrictions, in Medline, Pubmed and Web of Science databases. To identify other related references, further research was performed. Articles related to current knowledge about the immediate loading of dental implants supporting fixed partial prosthesis in the posterior region were included. Articles not available in abstract form and articles not published in the English language were excluded.

Results

A total of ten studies were eligible for inclusion in the current study. The search strategy resulted in a survival rate ranging from 86% to 100%, and a failure rate of less than 21.6%, with a mean follow-up of 55.6 months. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences in survival rates between implants placed in the maxilla and mandible (χ2 = 0.42, p = 0.81, df = 2). Follow-up varied from one to ten years, reflecting variability both in study design and duration.

Conclusions

The selected studies highlight the heterogeneity in immediate loading protocols for implant-supported fixed partial prosthesis in the posterior regions, emphasizing the variability in prosthetic materials and implant types, suggesting that immediate loading is a reliable, patient-centered therapeutic option with favorable long-term outcomes.