Effect of Early Radiographic Bone Loss Before Loading on Implant-Related Outcomes: A Long-Term Retrospective Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Periodontology
• Radiology

Background:

• Early radiographic bone loss (ERBL) is a radiographic finding around dental implants.
• The predictive value of ERBL for subsequent bone loss and implant outcomes remains under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if early radiographic bone loss (ERBL) predicts progressive bone loss (PBL).
• To assess the association between ERBL and dental implant survival rates.
• To evaluate the relationship between ERBL and the incidence of peri-implant diseases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of adult patients with dental implants followed for at least 5 years.
• Classification of implants into ERBL+ (apical marginal bone migration exposing implant surface before prosthesis) and ERBL- (no evidence of ERBL) groups.
• Regression analyses to assess associations between ERBL, PBL, implant survival, and peri-implant diseases.

Main Results:

• ERBL+ implants showed significantly greater PBL compared to ERBL- implants (-1.6 to -2.3 mm vs. -0.4 to -0.5 mm, p < 0.001).
• Implant survival was markedly lower in the ERBL+ group (67.8%) versus the ERBL- group (98.3%, p < 0.001).
• Peri-implantitis incidence was higher in ERBL+ implants (63.2%) compared to ERBL- implants (5.2%, p < 0.001). ERBL was the strongest predictor of PBL.

Conclusions:

• Early radiographic bone loss (ERBL) is a significant predictor of progressive bone loss (PBL) in dental implants.
• ERBL is strongly associated with an increased risk of dental implant loss and the development of peri-implantitis.