Dental implants typically help retain peri-implant vertical bone height: evidence-based analysis

The dental literature is assessed regarding the ability of dental implants to maintain vertical bone height after various implant placement scenarios: immediate, delayed, insertion into partially and fully edentate healed ridges, and under overdentures. Studies are also reviewed to determine if bone loss after implant insertion is continuous. Numerous investigations that support the concept that implants preserve bone height are identified. In addition, the data indicate that a minuscule amount of annual bone loss usually persists after implant placement, but it is often clinically imperceptible.