Prospective multicenter study on immediate rehabilitation of edentulous lower jaws according to the Brånemark Novum protocol.

Background: During recent years a new treatment concept, Branemark Novum, has been developed in which implants are inserted in the edentulous lower jaw and immediately connected to a prefabricated titanium bar. A fixed prosthesis is then attached to the bar during or immediately following surgery. Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the application of this concept under various settings, to determine technique sensitivity, and to evaluate the clinical outcome after 1 year of follow-up. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients were included in a prospective multicenter investigation and followed up for 1 year. Cumulative implant survival rates were evaluated by life table analysis. In addition, clinical comparisons were performed to evaluate implant loss in relation to patient characteristics. Questionnaires were used to evaluate the treatment protocols and to obtain patients' opinions. Results: The prosthetic treatment was completed on the same or the following day in 76% of the patients. The cumulative implant survival rates for implants and prostheses were 91% and 94%, respectively, after 12 months. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that single-stage surgery and immediate loading of implants with prefabricated bridgework in the mandible can result in high implant success and significant reduction in treatment time, with patient satisfaction.