Early Loading of UV-Functionalized Dental Implants

This randomized controlled triple-blind split-mouth clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of early loading on ultraviolet photofunctionalized dental implants placed in the posterior mandible. Ten patients received a total of 20 implants, with each participant receiving one ultraviolet photofunctionalized implant and one non-photofunctionalized control implant. Ultraviolet photofunctionalization was performed 24 hours before implant placement by an independent investigator. All implants were early loaded 4 weeks after surgery. Implant stability was assessed using Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) and expressed as Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values at implant placement, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks after surgery. Peri-implant marginal bone loss was evaluated radiographically during a one-year follow-up period. The study compared implant stability and radiographic outcomes between ultraviolet photofunctionalized and conventional implants under early loading conditions.