Radiographic identification of nonthreaded endosseous dental implants

The identification of dental implant bodies in patients without available records is a considerable problem due to increased patient mobility and to the large number of implant systems with different designs.

The purpose of this study was to document features that would help dentists identify non-threaded implant bodies from their radiographic images.

More than 50 implant manufacturers were contacted and asked to provide implants with dimensions as close as possible to 3.75 mm (diameter) x 10 mm (length). Forty-four implants were donated, 16 of which were identified as non-threaded. Radiographs were made of these implants at 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees horizontal rotation combined with -20 degrees, -10 degrees, 0 degrees, +10 degrees, and +20 degrees vertical inclination relative to the radiographic beam and film. A total of 20 images per implant were taken and examined to identify consistent, unique features that would aid in implant identification. At a 20 degrees vertical inclination, vital features of implants were distorted enough to be deemed unrecognizable. Therefore, only those observations made from radiographs between -10 degrees and +10 degrees vertical inclination were used for implant identification purposes.

All implants could be recognized from radiographs made between -10 degrees and +10 degrees vertical inclination. A series of tables and flowcharts describe the implants according to their identifying features.

Information from this study should help dentists identify non-threaded endosseous implants from their radiographic images.