Effect of Ultraviolet Photofunctionalization on Implant Stability and Marginal Bone Loss in Early-Loaded Dental Implants: A Triple-Blind Randomized Split-Mouth Clinical Trial

BackgroundUltraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization has been proposed as a simple surface modification technique capable of restoring the biological activity of aged titanium implants and enhancing early osseointegration.Investigating the clinical performance of this technique under early loading protocols is essential to optimize patient outcomes.This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effect of UV photofunctionalization on implant stability and marginal bone loss (MBL) in early-loaded dental implants. MethodsA triple-blind randomized split-mouth clinical trial was conducted involving 10 patients requiring bilateral posterior mandibular implant placement.Each participant received one UV-photofunctionalized implant and one untreated control implant.UV-C photofunctionalization was performed for 24 hours before surgery according to the manufacturer's protocol.Implant stability was assessed using resonance frequency analysis and expressed as the implant stability quotient (ISQ) immediately after implant placement (baseline), at three weeks, and at four weeks, when prosthetic loading.MBL was evaluated using standardized digital periapical radiographs obtained immediately after implant placement and one year after functional loading.Statistical analyses were performed using a linear mixed-effects model and paired statistical tests appropriate for the split-mouth design, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. ResultsAll 20 implants survived successfully and completed the one-year follow-up without biological or prosthetic complications.Baseline ISQ values were comparable between the UV and control groups (P = 0.694).At three weeks, the UV-treated implants demonstrated significantly higher ISQ values than the control implants (82.60 ± 2.12 vs. 76.70 ± 3.37; P < 0.001).This difference remained significant at four weeks (82.90 ± 2.28 vs. 75.40± 3.66; P = 0.005).The mean MBL after one year was lower in the UV group than in the control group (0.155 ± 0.230 mm vs. 0.209 ± 0.247 mm); however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.607). ConclusionsUV photofunctionalization significantly enhanced implant stability during the early healing period under an early loading protocol, suggesting accelerated early implant stabilization.Although MBL was numerically lower in the UV-treated implants, no significant long-term radiographic benefit was observed after one year.UV photofunctionalization may represent a simple and effective adjunctive strategy for improving early implant stability, particularly in clinical situations requiring early loading.Larger randomized clinical trials with longer follow-up are warranted to confirm these findings.