Measurement of bone metal contact (BMC) in retrieved maxillofacial osseointegrated implants

Eighteen screw-shaped extraoral osseointegrated implants retrieved from 10 patients were analysed by microradiography. Retrieved implants were trephined with a border of surrounding bone, fixed, embedded in epon plastic, ground and processed for microradiography. The reasons for retrieval were unexplained pain (n = 4), inability to cope with the implants (n = 2), fracture of central screw (n = 2), skin penetration problems (n = 1) and trauma (n = 1). The study group comprised six males and four females with a mean age of 53.4 years (range: 9-81 years). All implants were clinically stable at the time of removal, and mean osseointegration time was 3 years (range: 1-5 years). Six implants were removed from the temporal bone, five from the frontal bone and seven from the maxilla. Bone metal contact was estimated to vary between 27% and 83%. Bone metal contact was lower in the frontal bone compared to the temporal bone or maxilla, and was further reduced after preoperative irradiation. Longer osseointegration time increased bone metal contact, as did increased age up to 60 years. It is concluded that extraoral osseointegrated implants in humans may integrate morphologically as well as clinically. By microradiography it was possible to define bone metal contact in the region of implant installation.