Changes in alveolar bone density around immediate functionally and nonfunctionally loaded implants

• Published in: The Journal of prosthetic dentistry 2016-06, Vol.115 (6), p.712-717
• Main Authors: Ramachandran, Arun, MDS, Singh, Kamleshwar, MDS, Rao, Jitendra, MDS, Mishra, Niraj, MDS, Jurel, Sunit Kumar, MDS, Agrawal, Kaushal Kishor, MDS
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alveolar Bone Loss - diagnostic imaging; Alveolar Bone Loss - etiology; Bone Density; Dental Implantation, Endosseous - adverse effects; Dental Implantation, Endosseous - methods; Dentistry; Humans; Immediate Dental Implant Loading - adverse effects; Immediate Dental Implant Loading - methods; Prospective Studies; Radiography, Dental; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0022-3913; 1097-6841
• DOI: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2015.11.013

Abstract Statement of problem Few studies compare the radiographic changes in bone density associated with immediate implant loading protocols. Purpose The purpose of this longitudinal study was to quantitatively assess radiographic changes in alveolar bone density around immediate functionally and nonfunctionally loaded implants. Material and methods A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in which 20 participants with partially edentulous mandibles received implants that were immediately loaded either functionally (IFL) or nonfunctionally (INFL). Standardized intraoral periapical radiographs were made at baseline, 3, and 6 months. These were digitized and analyzed using the histogram tool of the GNU Image Modulation Program for changes in alveolar bone density at crestal and lateral apical levels around the implant. Results An increase in the mean lateral apical pixel grayscale values of 4.68 ±0.80 at 3 months and 4.15 ±0.29 at 6 months was observed with IFL, while INFL demonstrated an increase of 5.66 ±0.53 at 3 months and 6.07 ±0.59 at 6 months. A decrease in the mean crestal pixel grayscale values of -24.40 ±7.41 with IFL and -16.86 ±5.14 with INFL was found from baseline to 3 months. Conclusions On the basis of this longitudinal study, it was concluded that immediate loading stimulated alveolar bone formation at 6 months after implant placement. The immediate functional loading of implants resulted in a significantly greater degree of bone demineralization at the alveolar crest from implant placement up to 3 months compared with immediate nonfunctional loading.