Review of Immediate and Early Loading Protocols in Dental Implants

The concept of treating edentulous patients by osseointegrated implants was first proposed in 1960s. To minimize the failure rate of implants, it has been recommended to keep the implants free of load during the healing period. Recent studies have been directed to achieve faster integration and shorter healing periods prior to implant restoration. Loading protocols (immediate loading, early loading) can best be interpreted on the biologic basis of implant integration. Each of these protocols needs special prerequisites and there are special risk factors for different loading protocols. In this review article, different loading protocols and their surgical and prosthetic considerations are discussed.