evaluation of crestal bone loss and stability of immediate functional loading versus immediate non-functional loading of single-mandibular posterior implants: a pilot randomized controlled clinical trial

background: the aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the crestal bone loss and stability of single mandibular posterior dental implants placed in immediate functional loading (ifl) and immediate nonfunctional loading (infl) during 6 months after placement. materials and methods: forty single piece root form titanium implants were placed in 20 patients using ifl and infl techniques. the change in the level of crestal bone was measured on standardized digital periapical radiographs using sopro imaging software and stability of implants using resonance frequency analyser taken at the baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. the measurements were statistically analyzed using the independent and paired t-test (p < 0.05, statistically signifi cant). results: the mean change in the crestal bone level from baseline to 6 months was signifi cant in both techniques. the implant stability quotient (isq) values at fi rst and third months were lower than those at the baseline for both the groups. however, the isq values at the sixth month were similar to baseline for both the groups. the crestal bone changes and the isq values when compared between the groups showed no statistically signifi cant difference. conclusion: ifl of dental implants have equivalent results and success rate as that of immediately provisionalized implants within the limitations of this study. key words: crestal bone loss, dental implants, immediate loading, implant stability, resonance frequency analysis