A randomized controlled trial comparing the radiographic evaluation of crestal bone resorption in single implant...

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare radiographically the amount of crestal bone resorption during healing and loading period in single implant versus two implant-retained mandibular overdentures in totally edentulous patients.

A total of 20 edentulous patients (12 male and 8 female) with age range of 58.6 years were included in this clinical trial which was completed in four phases (clinical and radiographic diagnosis, surgical phase, implant loading phase, and bone level measurement phase). The eligible patients were randomly allocated in two equivalent groups of 10 participants each per group. The allocation was in 1:1 ratio via randomized chit method. Group I included the case group, that is, single implant, and Group II included the control group, that is, two implants located in mandible. A total of 30 implants were placed in Group I and 20 implants in Group II. Digital intraoral peri-apical radiographs (RVG 5100) were used for measuring the bone level immediately after implant surgery, 1 month, 3 months, 4 months, and 6 months.

This study showed that there was a mean crestal bone loss of 0.7 mm between the tip of the implant and alveolar crest at the end of 6 months after implant placement in single implant Group I while 0.67 mm in case of Group II two-implant-retained mandibular overdentures. The percentage of crestal bone loss after 6 months follow-up was 6.45% in Group I which was statistically insignificant compared with Group II where 6.25% of bone loss was recorded.

Single implant-retained mandibular overdentures could be used as another alternative treatment option for completely edentulous elderly patients with severely resorbed ridges and financially and systemically compromised conditions.