Abstract
Background In the replacement of missing teeth, a paradigm shift is currently observed with immediate implant placement and/or restoration, particularly in the aesthetic zone. In molar sites, however, anatomical, occlusal and biomechanical considerations remain deterrent factors influencing the outcome of this treatment paradigm. The aim of this report was to evaluate immediate placement and immediate restoration of strongly tapered wide-diameter implant in fresh mandibular molar extraction sockets. Methods Twenty-four 8- or 9-mm diameter implants were placed in either a fresh molar extraction socket or a healed site. All the implants received provisional crowns within 48h. The provisional crowns were replaced with full ceramic crowns after 8weeks of implant placement. Results The overall implant success rate after 1year of service for the 24 implants in two treatment groups was 75%. Success rates were 83.3% and 66.7% for the delayed and immediate placement groups respectively, with no significant difference observed between the two groups (P=0.35). Implant stability measurements identified the immediately placed implants to be more stable immediately after surgery than delayed placed implants. In contrast, the delayed placed implants were more stable after 8week healing time. Conclusions The rehabilitation of single missing mandibular molars by immediately placed and restored wide-diameter implants was associated with a relatively high failure rate.