Distance between implants has a potential impact of crestal bone resorption

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Oral Surgery
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Preserving biologic width around dental implants is crucial for soft and hard tissue health.
• The optimal minimum distance between adjacent implants remains undetermined.
• Crestal bone resorption is a key indicator of peri-implant health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the minimum inter-implant distance impacting crestal bone resorption.
• To analyze factors influencing bone loss around spiral family implants (SFIs).

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 59 SFIs with a 14-month follow-up.
• Analysis of implant dimensions, placement (post-extractive vs. healed bone), and loading protocols.
• Statistical analysis including univariate and multivariate models to assess variables associated with crestal bone resorption.

Main Results:

• Implants were grouped based on inter-implant distance (<1.8 mm vs. >1.8 mm).
• Univariate analysis showed post-extractive placement and prosthetic units as significant factors.
• Multivariate analysis identified post-extractive implant placement as the sole significant adverse factor for crestal bone resorption.

Conclusions:

• While a difference in crestal bone resorption exists between implants closer than 1.8 mm and those further apart, it's not statistically significant in the short term.
• The specific implant design (reverse conical neck) may influence these findings.
• Post-extractive implant insertion is the primary determinant of peri-implant bone resorption within a short follow-up period.