Mesial Marginal Bone Loss around Calcium-Coated and Conventional Dental Implants under Two Loading Schedules: A 12-Week Prospective Comparative Study

Background: Implant surface characteristics and the timing of prosthetic loading are relevant to early peri-implant bone-level changes. This prospective study compared radiographic mesial marginal bone loss around calcium-coated and conventional dental implants managed under two loading schedules. Methods: Forty systemically healthy partially edentulous patients were allocated to four groups (n = 10 each): calcium-coated or conventional implants treated under a shorter postoperative loading schedule (Groups I and II, respectively), and calcium-coated or conventional implants scheduled for loading at approximately three weeks (Groups III and IV, respectively). Mesial marginal bone levels were measured on digital intraoral periapical radiographs at baseline and at nominal 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-week follow-ups. Group means and standard deviations were summarised descriptively. Results: At 12 weeks, mean (SD) mesial marginal bone loss was 0.46 (0.02) mm in Group I, 0.61 (0.02) mm in Group II, 0.36 (0.03) mm in Group III, and 0.46 (0.04) mm in Group IV. Mean bone loss increased with time in each group. Within each loading schedule, the calcium-coated group had a numerically lower 12-week mean than the corresponding conventional-implant group. Conclusion: This four-group comparison documents the short-term trajectory of mesial marginal bone loss after implant placement and loading. The descriptive findings provide a basis for further evaluation of implant surface chemistry and loading schedule in adequately characterised longitudinal studies.