Intra-oral welding of temporary implant abutments with a pre-fabri- cated titanium bar: A new technique for accelerated rigid splinting of immediately loaded implants

Although initial considerations in implant dentistry have claimed that the process of osseointegration requires on average an undisturbed healing of three months in the mandible and six months in the maxilla 1-3, an increasing interest has been noticed with regard to early and immediate loading of implants to expedite the restorative outcome. Donath et al. reported that load exerted at the implant interface may interfere with the process of bone healing and lead to fibrous encapsulation.4 However, clinical and experimental animal trials have shown that longterm success of removable and fixed prostheses of immediately loaded dental implants can be achieved.5-21 In a clinical study involving the analysis of a substantial number of implants, Degidi et al. demonstrated the predictability and high success rates of immediate functional and non-functional loading.22 Recently published results of a 7-year follow-up of immediately loaded implants revealed comparable outcomes for delayed loaded implants with a satisfactory level of osseointegration and high success rates. In addition, initial implant mobility does not inevitably prevent osseointegration.24 In general, micromotion at the implant interface has to be distinguished from uncontrolled masticatory forces. The peri-implant bone adjusts