Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes of Immediate Nonfunctional Provisionalization 6-mm Wide-Diameter Implants in Healed Single- Molar Sites: A Retrospective Study with a Mean Follow-up of 6.3 Years.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate and marginal bone loss (MBL) of 6 mm wide-diameter (WD) implants placed in mandibular and maxillary molar sites with immediate non-functional provisionalization with cement-retained single crowns in posterior molar sites up to 10.5 year follow up.

Materials and methods: a retrospective case series on 48 patients receiving 53 WD implants in healed molar sites. Implants were provisionally restored with cement-retained acrylic crowns within 48 hours and followed for an average of 6.3 years. Marginal bone levels were measured at implant insertion, final prosthesis and at follow up using calibrated periapical radiographs. Statistical analyses, including survival analysis and descriptive statistics, were performed to assess implant success and MBL.

Results: Most implants were placed in the mandible (67.3%), and flap-based techniques were used more frequently (56.5%). Of 53 implants, 2 (3.77%) failed: one due to osseointegration failure and one to peri-implantitis after 7.1 years. Mean MBL change was -0.89 mm over the follow-up period. Patients demonstrated high implant stability and minimal complications.

Conclusions: Immediate provisionalization of 6 mm WD implants in molar sites demonstrates high survival rates and minimal bone loss, supporting their use as a reliable alternative to delayed loading protocols. These results reinforce the predictability and biomechanical advantages of wide-diameter implants for posterior restorations.