Evaluation of hard and soft tissue changes around implant in partially edentulous patients: a aclinico-radiographic study

Abstract

Implant supported prosthesis has become a viable treatment option for missing teeth. An important tool to detect early changes around implants is the standardized assessment of peri-implant hard and soft tissue parameters. The purpose of this prospective study was to clinically and radiographically assess the soft and hard tissues around implants. METHODS: ten (10) patients with 13 implant supported prosthesis were included in the study. Clinical parameters Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), modified Sulcus Bleeding Index (mSBI), peri-implant Probing Depth (PD), Gingival Margin Level, Width of Keratinized Mucosa (WKM) and Implant Mobility were measured at loading and at 3 and 6 months. The radiographic crestal bone loss and peri-apical implant radiolucencies were also evaluated at loading and at 3 and 6 months. Student paired t test and correlation and regression analysis was done to evaluate the effect of clinical variables over bone loss. RESULTS: there was decrease in the site specific PI, GI, mSBI and peri-implant PD and an increase in the gingival recession from baseline to 6 months. The WKM remained stable throughout the study. Significant crestal bone loss was observed around implants more on the distal as compared to the mesial aspect. No mobility or peri-apical implant radiolucency was observed. Regression analysis of the confounding variables with bone loss showed no significant effect. CONCLUSION: the occlusal loading of implants after 6 months showed significant bone loss (1mm), which was within acceptable limits and the soft tissues around implants were in good health.

Keywords

• implants
• peri-implant soft tissue
• crestal bone loss