Immediate Loading With Fixed Implant-Supported Restorations in an Edentulous Patient With an HIV Infection

Abstract

Oral rehabilitation of edentulous patients with implants that are immediately loaded is a viable treatment alternative today; however, the immediate loading protocol has not been extensively documented in HIV-seropositive patients. This clinical case report presents a surgical and prosthetic implant-supported immediate loading protocol in an edentulous HIV-seropositive patient (CD4 >200 and T4/T8: 0.99). Eight implants were placed in each jaw, and no ridge augmentation procedures were required. All the implants were connected with abutments, and a temporary fixed restoration was placed immediately after surgery. The final fixed reconstruction was cemented after 10 weeks of loading. All implants showed no clinical signs of mobility or infection. Periotest values were evaluated during healing and showed a progressive reduction. Radiological findings showed stable bone levels after an observation period of 4 years. This case report presents an alternative treatment for the oral rehabilitation of an HIV-positive (but disease asymptomatic) edentulous patient. The concept of immediate loading of implants offers advantages when compared with a traditional treatment modality even in immunocompromised patients who are well controlled.