Abstract
BACKGROUND: Immediate loading (IL) offers patients the advantage of reduced treatment time by immediate prosthesis placement or 48 h after implantation. Non-IL (NIL), on the other hand, involves a recovery period to allow osseointegration. Both methods are widely used, but their long-term effectiveness remains controversial. This study provides an umbrella review of long-term clinical outcomes of immediate and NIL protocols in single-implant restorations. This review combines and analyzes the findings of several systematic reviews and meta-analyses to evaluate implant survival rate, bone stability, peri-implant soft-tissue health, and complications associated with each approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in the past two decades were evaluated, and studies comparing immediate and NIL protocols with follow-up periods of at least 6 months were included in this comprehensive review. Using key terms such as "immediate loading" OR "nonimmediate loading" OR "delay loading" AND "single-implant restoration" * " OR "tooth implant*" OR "Dental Implant*," valid national and international databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched to achieve the objectives of the study. After screening the retrieved studies, information about the implant survival rate, marginal bone loss, peri-implant soft tissue health, and prosthetic complications were extracted. RESULTS: Immediate and NIL protocols showed a high long-term implant survival rate, varying between 92% and 98%. IL showed a slightly higher rate of marginal bone loss than NIL, especially in the 1(st) year after implant placement. However, peri-implant soft tissue health and overall patient satisfaction were similar in both protocols. Moreover, IL can be equally successful in cases where high initial implant stability is achieved. Yet, NIL remains the preferred choice in patients with compromised bone quality or high-risk conditions. CONCLUSION: Our research demonstrates that both immediate and NIL protocols offer high long-term implant survival rates (92% to 98%). While IL shows a slightly higher rate of marginal bone loss, particularly in the 1(st) year, it remains a viable option in cases with high initial implant stability. Peri-implant soft-tissue health and patient satisfaction were similar for both protocols. NIL continues to be the preferred approach for patients with compromised bone quality or high-risk conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of individualizing treatment plans based on implant stability and patient-specific factors to optimize outcomes in single-implant restorations.