Ultrasonography for noninvasive and real-time evaluation of peri-implant soft and hard tissue: a case series

Abstract

Abstract Background The diagnosis of soft and hard tissue at dental implants will be challenging in the future, as high prevalence of mucositis and peri-implantitis were described in the population. Ultrasonography is a promising non-invasive, inexpensive, painless, and radiation-free method for imaging hard and soft tissue at implants, especially an ultrasound device with a 25-MHz probe demonstrating a high correlation between ultrasound, clinical, and radiological measurements. Case presentation The following case series demonstrates the use of ultrasonography with high spatial resolution probe in patients with dental implants affected by soft tissue recession and/or crestal bone loss. Conclusion These ultrasound images can provide valuable additional information for the assessment of peri-implant soft and hard tissue.

Keywords

• Ultrasonography
• Peri-implant diagnostics
• Peri-implantitis
• Bone loss
• Soft tissue diagnostics