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Vertical and Horizontal Crestal Bone Levels in Root-Analog Stepped Implants-A 10-Year Prospective Study
Germán Gómez-Román1, Stefan Rombach
1*Senior Dentist, Department of Prosthodontics with Section "Medical Materials and Technology" Center of Dentistry, Oral Medicine, and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tuebingen University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the Eberhard-Karls-University, Tuebingen, Germany. †Private Practice, Staff Dentist, Zahnpraxis Center, Stuttgart, Germany.
Root-analog stepped implants demonstrated moderate vertical bone loss (1.8 mm) over 10 years. Bone levels varied by site, with the mandibular frontal area showing greater loss than the maxillary frontal area.
Area of Science:
- Dental Implantology
- Periodontology
- Radiographic Analysis
Background:
- Long-term bone level stability is crucial for dental implant success.
- Root-analog stepped implants offer a specific design for bone integration.
- Understanding bone remodeling around implants informs clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To radiographically evaluate bone levels around root-analog stepped implants over a 10-year period.
- To compare bone loss in different anatomical regions (maxillary vs. mandibular, frontal vs. posterior).
Main Methods:
- A 10-year follow-up study of 153 root-analog stepped implants in 93 patients.
- Radiographs were taken at multiple time points: post-surgery, post-prosthesis, and at 5 and 10 years of loading.
- Vertical and horizontal bone levels were measured to assess bone changes.
Main Results:
- The mean vertical bone defect (VBD) after 10 years was 1.8 mm, with 0.4 mm horizontal bone loss.
- Implants in the mandibular frontal area exhibited significantly greater bone loss (3.1 mm) compared to the maxillary frontal area (1.4 mm).
- No significant difference in VBD was observed between mandibular and maxillary posterior implant sites.
Conclusions:
- Root-analog stepped implants exhibit moderate bone loss over a decade, averaging 1.8 mm.
- Implant site significantly influences bone level changes, with mandibular anterior regions experiencing more bone resorption.
- These findings highlight the importance of site-specific considerations in implant placement and long-term maintenance.
