Temporary implant-supported prosthesis for immediate loading according to a chair-side concept: Technical note and results from 37 consecutive cases

Background: During the last years, focus has been paid to implant treatment using immediate function protocols, and different approaches to provide patients with temporary constructions have been presented. Most of these techniques involve dental technicians producing the temporary construction, for example, rebuilding existing dentures, acrylic bridges, etc. Purpose: The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a chair-side technique of a cost-effective temporary prosthesis. Fixture survival rate and risk of temporary bridge failure were analyzed. Materials and methods: Thirty-seven partially or totally edentate patients (18 female and 19 male; mean age: 66.7 years) treated with chair-side manufactured temporary restorations (QuickBridge (TM), BIOMET 3i, Palm Beach, Fl, USA) for immediate loading have been evaluated. The prostheses extended from two unit bridges supported by two implants to full-arch construction supported by six implants. The temporary prostheses were monitored from the day of surgery and delivery to the time of replacement with a permanent prosthetic construction 3 to 6 months later. Results: No implants were lost during the observation time. One (3%) temporary prosthesis fractured and additional two (6%) loosened during the follow-up time. Conclusions: The study indicated that the tested chair-side concept for manufacturing of temporary prosthesis for immediate loading of dental implants is a viable approach.