Background: A prospective multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial was performed to digitally analyze tissue volume changes in immediately and early placed implants with simultaneous bone augmentation restored with two different all-ceramic materials.

Methods: A total of 60 patients received 60 bone-level tapered implants (BLT, Straumann AG) immediately (n = 30) or early placed, 8-10 weeks after tooth extraction, (n = 30). Implants were restored with all-ceramic single crowns fabricated out of zirconia (Lava Plus, 3M), or lithium disilicate (E.max CAD, Ivoclar Vivadent AG) bonded to titanium base abutments (Variobase for Cerec, Straumann AG). Impressions were taken at baseline (BL), 6 and 12 months, and STL data were used to define an area of interest (AOI) to analyze peri-implant volume changes and midfacial recessions.

Results: For immediate placement, a mean volume loss of -5.56 mm³(±5.83 mm³) was found at 6 months, and of -6.62 mm³(±6.56 mm³) at 12 months. For early placement, a mean volume loss of -1.99 mm³(±5.82 mm³) at 6 months, and of -3.7 mm³(±5.62 mm³) at 12 months was found. The differences in volume loss at 12 months between the two implant placement protocols were significant (p= 0.005). In both groups, mean midfacial recessions of 0.48 mm (±0.52) occurred.

Conclusions: A more pronounced peri-implant volume loss can be expected 12 months after immediate implant placement compared with early placement.