Patient discomfort following single-tooth implant placement: a randomized controlled trial of immediate vs. conventional tooth restoration.

AIMS Evaluate postoperative discomfort (pain, bleeding and swelling) in single-tooth implant patients submitted to immediate or conventional tooth restoration together with assessment of treatment time. METHODS Twenty-four patients who received single-tooth maxillary dental implants were randomly assigned to an IR (Immediate Restoration) or CR (Conventional Restoration) group. In IR, an implant was inserted and a provisional tooth crown was delivered within the same session, while in CR it was delivered three months after implantation. Pain (first three days), bleeding (first day) and swelling (first seven days) were assessed using a questionnaire with Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). RESULTS Treatment time was longer for IR than for CR (57±14 and 33±8 min, respectively; p<0.0001). Mean VAS scores for pain, bleeding, and swelling were low for both groups at the first postoperative day. VAS scores for pain and swelling decreased continuously over the time period in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The longer treatment time in IR didn't increase patients' perception of pain, bleeding and swelling, compared to CR. The impact of immediate tooth restoration on patients' esthetic outcome should be further considered.