Conventional loading dental implants first came about in 1968, involving two medical procedures, and taking a total of up to 12 months to complete. Some patients consider this process inconvenient because of the long healing period and the requirement to wear dentures between surgeries. While the conventional technique is less convenient than the immediate technique, it still holds certain advantages over alternative therapies.
Success Rate
The minimally invasive immediate dental implant technique has since surpassed conventional loading dental implants, requiring only six weeks of healing. This rapid healing sometimes comes at a cost. In an assessment titled "The Effectiveness of Immediate, Early, and Conventional Loading of Dental Implants: A Cochrane Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials" conducted at the University of Manchester in November 2007, it was discovered that clinicians did not always achieve optimal results with early and immediate implants. For a major dental surgery such as tooth implants, success rate is a high priority for any patient. This test did not report any inconsistency in the ability of clinicians to achieve optimal results with conventional loading. The review notes, however, that more well-designed trials are needed in this area.
Stability
Conventional loaded dental implants bring high stability because of the procedure and healing process. Conventional loaded dental implants are placed below the gum and actually fuse to the jawbone before a replacement tooth is added. Unlike a bridge, which is placed over the teeth surrounding a missing tooth, dental implants actually fuse with your body. According to the American Dental Association, more patients feel more stability when using conventional dental implants than other treatment options.
Natural Look
Conventional tooth implants with a replacement tooth have a more natural look than a bridge because the surgery can be isolated to a particular tooth. Bridges may have an unnatural look because they cover three teeth. According to the American Dental Association, patients who have received conventional dental implants also report a more natural feel than other treatment options. This natural feel leads to increased comfort when using the tooth to chew.
References
- Long Island Team Implantology: Immediate Loading Dental Implants vs. Conventional Implant Therapy
- Pubmed.gov: The Effectiveness of Immediate, Early, and Conventional Loading of Dental Implants: a Cochrane Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials
- American Dental Association: Implants
