A 1-year radiographic evaluation of marginal bone around dental implants

The aim of this study was to report alveolar bone loss during the first 12 months after implant abutment connection. Marginal bone loss around 62 endosseous root-form implants in 62 patients was measured on periapical radiographs. Changes in bone density were measured by the digital subtraction image radiographic method. At 3-month intervals for 1 year, bone loss around the four types of implants used (standard series, mini series, and hexlock implants of the Steri-Oss system; and 3i standard implants) was investigated. Rapid bone loss around all four implant types occurred in the first 3 months. Most of the implants showed resorption of alveolar bone beyond the polished neck at 12 months. The bone level stabilized at the first thread of the implants with no correlation to either the time of exposure of the polished neck or the type of implant. Bone density decreased at the marginal bone and increased at the newly formed alveolar crest.