ABSTRACT
Introduction: Patients increasingly demand immediate prosthetic rehabilitation. In response to their demands Not only are implants placed immediately, but often loaded immediately within 72 hours. Therefore, the question arises whether implants should be loaded instantly in functional or non-functional occlusion.
Aim: Is to compare between immediate functional and non-functional loaded implants in the posterior mandibular region by using cone beam computed tomography to evaluate changes in bone density and crestal bone loss.
Materials and Methods: In this study 16 patients with partially edentulous mandibles were divided randomly into two groups, all received implants that were immediately loaded either functionally (Group A) or nonfunctionally (Group B). Standardized CBCT were made at immediate postsurgical and 4 months postsurgical to evaluate changes in crestal bone loss and bone density.
Results: Both groups were successful with no implant failure. Mean crestal bone loss for group A and group B was (0.29 ± 0.07) and (0.32 ± 0.14) respectively (P = 0.553). Mean values of bone density for group A and group B were (540.1 ± 90.06) and (515.1 ± 125.4) respectively (P = 0.676).
Conclusion: Both immediate functional and nonfunctional loading of dental implants are successful treatment options and have the same effect on crestal bone loss and bone density.

Keywords: Immediate functional loading, immediate nonfunctional loading, posterior mandible.
Running title: Immediate functional and non-functional loading of implants in posterior mandible.