Implant Prosthodontic Therapy ÇƒÏ Evaluation of Peri-implant Bone Changes

Implant Prosthodontic Therapy ÇƒÏ Evaluation of Peri-implant Bone Changes
D. KNEZOVI?‹ ZLATARI?‹, A. ?‡ELEBI?‹, P. KOBLER, J. ??IVKO-BABI?‹, and J. PANDURI?‹, School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
March 2004
Clinical Implant Studies
Objectives: Severe loss of peri-implant supporting bone traditionally leads to the removal of the affected implant. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether the bone mineral density (BMD) values differ in 1) group of the patients with different implant placements, 2) in group of patients with different implant prosthodontic therapy and 3) in group of the patients with different duration of the implant loading. The aim was also to compare measured BMD values around the implants with BMD values measured on the matching opposing natural teeth in the jaw. Methods: Periapical radiographs, standardized using copper stepwedge, were made in 20 patients with 43 implants in maxilla and mandible. BMD measurements were performed in vivo using clinical intraoral microdensitometry method. All the measured values were expressed in equivalents of copper stepwedge thicknesses. Results: Results revealed different BMD values between patients with implants in maxilla and mandible, as well as between different prosthodontic loadings (p<0.05). Conclusion: The method used in this study is useful in assessments of BMD around implants.