The Role of Timing of Loading on Later Marginal Bone Loss Around Dental Implants: A Retrospective Clinical Study
The aim of this study was to assess the relation between marginal bone loss (MBL) around dental implants after a loading period of 36 months and the timing of loading. A total of 87 patients with 252 implants were included in the study group. The time span from implant placement to beginning of loading of the implants was evaluated. Delay of loading of implants seems to increase MBL around dental implants as the result of disuse atrophy. Implants next to a tooth on 1 or 2 sides suffered less from MBL. No statistically significant difference in MBL rate was noted between single and splinted implants or between smooth collar and microgeometry neck implants. Results of this study encourage early loading, especially for the mandibular overdenture supporting implants.Abstract
Bone level measurement was performed on scanned and digitized radiographs with 2000% magnification in Corel Draw 11.0 software.
Neighboring teeth seem to help to maintain marginal bone levels of implants. Implants placed next to teeth have shown less bone loss at the tooth-facing side than at the implant-facing side.
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