Comparison of clinical and radiographic status around immediately loaded versus conventional loaded implants placed in patients with type 2 diabetes: 12-and 24-month follow-up results

There are no studies that have compared the clinical and radiographic status around immediately loaded (IL) and conventional loaded (CL) implants placed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim was to compare the clinical and radiographic status around IL and CL implants placed in T2DM patients. One hundred and eight diabetic patients [55 with IL implants (Group 1) and 53 with CL implants (Group 2)] were included in this cross-sectional study. All implants were placed in healed sites in the maxillary and mandibular premolar and molar regions and supported single restorations. All patients underwent full mouth mechanical debridement biannually. Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, clinical [bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing depth (PD) >= 4 mm] and radiographic [crestal bone loss (CBL)] peri-implant parameters were measured for both groups at 12-and 24-month follow-up. Group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test (P < 0.05). The mean age and duration of T2DM in groups 1 and 2 were 50.6 +/- 2.2 and 51.8 +/- 1.7 years, and 9.2 +/- 2.4 and 8.5 +/- 0.4 years, respectively. At 12-and 24-month follow-up, the mean HbA1c levels in groups 1 and 2 were 5.4% (4.8-5.5%) and 5.1% (4.7-5.4%) and 5.1% (4.7-5.2%) and 4.9% (4.5-5.2%), respectively. At 12-and 24month follow-up, there was no statistically significant difference in peri-implant BOP, PD and CBL in both groups. It was concluded that clinical and radiographic status is comparable around IL and CL implants placed in patients with T2DM. The contribution of careful case selection, oral hygiene maintenance and glycaemic control is emphasised.