Peri-implant bone reactions to immediate implants placed at different levels in relation to crestal bone. Part I: a pilot study in dogs

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate bone remodeling and bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) after immediate placement at different levels in relation to the crestal bone of Beagle dogs. Materials and methods: The mandibular bilateral second, third and fourth premolars of six Beagle dogs were extracted and six implants were immediately placed in the hemi‐arches of each dog. Randomly, three cylindrical and three tapered implants were inserted crestally (control group) and 2 mm subcrestally (experimental group). Both groups were treated with a minimal mucoperiosteal flap elevation approach. A gap from the buccal cortical wall to the implant was always left. Three dogs were allowed a 4‐week submerged healing period and the other three an 8‐week submerged healing period. The animals were sacrificed and biopsies were obtained. Biopsies were processed for ground sectioning. Histomorphometric analysis was carried out in order to compare buccal and lingual bone height loss, and BIC between the two groups. Results: All implants osseointegrated clinically and histologically. Healing patterns examined microscopically at 4 and 8 weeks for both groups (crestal and subcrestal) yielded similar qualitative bone findings. The distance from the top of the implant collar to the first BIC in the lingual crest (A–Lc) showed a significant difference (P=0.0313): 1.91 ± 0.2 mm in the control group and 1.08 ± 0.2 mm in the experimental group. There was less bone resorption in subcrestal implants than crestal implants. The mean percentage of newly formed BIC was greater with the cylindrical implant design (46.06 ± 4.09%) than with the tapered design (32.64 ± 3.72%). Conclusion: These findings suggest that apical positioning of the top of the implant does not jeopardize bone crest and peri‐implant tissue remodeling. However, less resorption of the Lc may be expected when implants are placed 2 mm subcrestally. To cite this article:
Negri B, Calvo‐Guirado JL, Pardo‐Zamora G, Ramírez‐Fernández MP, Delgado‐Ruíz RA, Muñoz‐Guzón F. Peri‐implant bone reactions to immediate implants placed at different levels in relation to crestal bone. Part I: a pilot study in dogs.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23 , 2012; 228–235.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2011.02158.x     

Equicrestal and subcrestal dental implants: a histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of nine retrieved human implants

Background: Stability of peri‐implant crestal bone plays a relevant role relative to the presence or absence of interdental papilla. Several factors can contribute to the crestal bone resorption observed around two‐piece implants, such as the presence of a microgap at the level of the implant–abutment junction, the type of connection between implant and prosthetic components, the implant positioning relative to the alveolar crest, and the interimplant distance. Subcrestal positioning of dental implants has been proposed to decrease the risk of exposure of the metal of the top of the implant or of the abutment margin, and to get enough space in a vertical dimension to create a harmoniously esthetic emergence profile. Methods: The present retrospective histologic study was performed to evaluate dental implants retrieved from human jaws that had been inserted in an equicrestal or subcrestal position. A total of nine implants were evaluated: five of these had been inserted in an equicrestal position, whereas the other four had been positioned subcrestally (1 to 3 mm). Results: In all subcrestally placed implants, preexisting and newly formed bone was found over the implant shoulder. In the equicrestal implants, crestal bone resorption (0.5 to 1.5 mm) was present around all implants. Conclusion: The subcrestal position of the implants resulted in bone located above the implant shoulder.     

Impact of different placement depths on the crestal bone level of immediate versus delayed placed platform-switched implants

Purpose

The preservation of peri-implant bone is one requirement for long-term success of dental implants. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of subcrestal placement on the crestal bone level of immediate versus delayed placed implants after loading.

Retrospective Evaluation of Crestal Bone Changes Around Implants With Reduced Abutment Diameter Placed Non‐Submerged and at Subcrestal Positions: The Effect of Bone Grafting at Implant Placement

Background: There is limited information regarding the effect of grafting of the osteotomy after subcrestal implant placement. The primary aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the effect of bone grafting of the defect between the bone crest and the coronal aspect of implants with reduced abutment diameter placed non‐submerged and at subcrestal positions. Methods: Records of 50 consecutive patients treated with subcrestally placed dental implants grafted with a xenograft (Group A) and 50 consecutive patients with subcrestally placed dental implants without any grafting material (Group B) were reviewed. For each implant, the radiographs after placement were compared to images from the last follow‐up visit and evaluated regarding the following: 1) degree of subcrestal positioning of the implant, 2) changes of marginal hard‐tissue height over time, and 3) whether marginal hard‐tissue could be detected on the implant platform at the follow‐up visit. Results: The mean marginal loss of hard tissues was 0.11 ± 0.30 mm for Group A and 0.08 ± 0.22 mm for Group B. Sixty‐nine percent of the implants in Group A and 77% of the implants in Group B demonstrated hard tissue on the implant platform. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding marginal peri‐implant hard‐tissue loss. Conclusion: The present study fails to demonstrate that grafting of the remaining osseous wound defect between the bone crest and the coronal aspect of the implant has a positive effect on marginal peri‐implant hard‐tissue changes.     

Influence of interimplant distances and placement depth on peri‐implant bone remodeling of adjacent and immediately loaded Morse cone connection implants: a histomorphometric study in dogs

Objectives: The aim of this study was to histomorphometrically evaluate the influence of interimplant distances (ID) and implant placement depth on bone remodeling around contiguous Morse cone connection implants with ‘platform‐shifting’ in a dog model. Material and methods: Bilateral mandibular premolars of six dogs were extracted, and after 12 weeks, each dog received 8 implants, four placed 1.5 mm subcrestally (SCL) on one side of the mandible and four placed equicrestally (ECL) on the other side, alternating the ID of 2 and 3 mm. The experimental groups were SCL with IDs of 2 mm (2 SCL) and 3 mm (3 SCL) and ECL with IDs of 2 mm (2 ECL) and 3 mm (3 ECL). Metallic crowns were immediately installed. After 8 weeks, the animals were euthanized and histomorphometric analyses were performed to compare bone remodeling in the groups. Results: The SCL groups' indices of crestal bone resorption were significantly lower than those of ECL groups. In addition, the vertical bone resorption around the implants was also numerically inferior in the SCL groups, but without statistical significance. No differences were obtained between the different IDs. All the groups presented similar good levels of bone‐to‐implant contact and histological bone density. Conclusion: The subcrestal placement of contiguous Morse cone connection implants with ‘platform shifting’ was more efficient in preserving the interimplant crestal bone. The IDs of 2 and 3 mm did not affect the bone remodeling significantly under the present conditions. To cite this article:
Barros RRM, Novaes AB Jr., Muglia VA, Iezzi G, Piattelli A. Influence of interimplant distances and placement depth on peri‐implant bone remodeling of adjacent and immediately loaded Morse cone connection implants: a histomorphometric study in dogs.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21 , 2010; 371–378.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2009.01860.x     

Transmucosal healing around peri‐implant defects: crestal and subcrestal implant placement in dogs

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the transmucosal healing response of implants placed with the junction of the smooth surfaces, either crestal or subcrestal, into simulated extraction defects after healing periods of 1 and 3 months. Materials and methods: A total of 23 Straumann SP ?3.3 mm NN, SLA^® 10 mm implants were placed in the mandibular premolar regions of three greyhound dogs 3 months after the teeth were removed. Five control implants were placed at the crestal bone level, and test implants with surgically created peri‐implant defects of 1.25 mm wide × 5 mm depth were placed either at the crestal (nine implants) or at the 2 mm subcrestal (nine implants) bone level. Implants on the right side were placed 1 month before the dogs were sacrificed, and implants on the left side were placed 3 months before sacrifice. All dogs had daily plaque control following surgery and were sacrificed 3 months after implant placement for histological and histometric analyses. Results: Mesial–distal ground sections of the control and test implant specimens showed a greater %BIC in the coronal defect region after 3 months of healing. This healing response was incomplete for the test implants compared with the control implants after a 1‐month healing period. The histometric measurements for test implants placed at the crestal bone level or 2 mm subcrestal with surgically created peri‐implant defects were more coronal or closer to the implant margin compared with the control implants. Additionally, the degree of osseointegration between the newly formed bone and the implant surface was similar between the test implants. Conclusion: Peri‐implant defects of 1.25 mm width healed with spontaneous bone regeneration around implants placed transmucosally at crestal or 2 mm subcrestal with a high degree of osseointegration after a 3‐month healing period. To cite this article:
Tran BLT, Chen ST, Caiafa A, Davies HMS, Darby IB. Transmucosal healing around peri‐implant defects: crestal and subcrestal implant placement in dogs.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 21 , 2010; 794–803.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.01911.x     

Hard and soft tissue changes after crestal and subcrestal immediate implant placement

Background: The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of the placement level of implants with a laser‐microtextured collar design on the outcomes of crestal bone and soft tissue levels. In addition, we assessed the vertical and horizontal defect fill and identified factors that influenced clinical outcomes of immediate implant placement. Methods: Twenty‐four patients, each with a hopeless tooth (anterior or premolar region), were recruited to receive dental implants. Patients were randomly assigned to have the implant placed at the palatal crest or 1 mm subcrestally. Clinical parameters including the keratinized gingival (KG) width, KG thickness, horizontal defect depth (HDD), facial and interproximal marginal bone levels (MBLs), facial threads exposed, tissue–implant horizontal distance, gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI) were assessed at baseline and 4 months after surgery. In addition, soft tissue profile measurements including the papilla index, papilla height (PH), and gingival level (GL) were assessed after crown placement at 6 and 12 months post‐surgery. Results: The overall 4‐month implant success rate was 95.8% (one implant failed). A total of 20 of 24 patients completed the study. At baseline, there were no significant differences between crestal and subcrestal groups in all clinical parameters except for the facial MBL (P = 0.035). At 4 months, the subcrestal group had significantly more tissue thickness gain (keratinized tissue) than the crestal group compared to baseline. Other clinical parameters (papilla index, PH, GL, PI, and GI) showed no significant differences between groups at any time. A facial plate thickness ≤1.5 mm and HDD ≥2 mm were strongly correlated with the facial marginal bone loss. A facial plate thickness ≤2 mm and HDD ≥3 were strongly correlated with horizontal dimensional changes. Conclusions: The use of immediate implants was a predictable surgical approach (96% survival rate), and the level of placement did not influence horizontal and vertical bone and soft tissue changes. This study suggests that a thick facial plate, small gaps, and premolar sites were more favorable for successful implant clinical outcomes in immediate implant placement.     

Influence of Implant Neck Surface and Placement Depth on Crestal Bone Changes Around Platform‐Switched Implants: A Clinical and Radiographic Study in Dogs

Background: The aim of this animal study is to analyze bone remodeling around platform‐switching (PS) implants with and without a machined (MACH) collar placed at different levels in relation to the crestal bone in a canine model. Methods: All mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted in five dogs. After 6 months, grit‐blasted acid‐etched (GBAE) PS implants with and without a MACH neck were randomly inserted in each hemimandible, positioning the implant‐abutment interface in either a supracrestal (+1.5 mm), equicrestal, or subcrestal (?1.5 mm) position, and healing abutments were connected. Implant abutments were dis/reconnected at 12, 14, 16, and 18 weeks after implant placement. After 6 months of healing, animals were sacrificed. Clinical parameters and periapical radiographs were registered on the day of implant placement, at 2 months, at every abutment dis/reconnection, and at sacrifice. Crestal bone changes were calculated and defined as the primary outcome variable. Results: When crestal bone changes from implant placement to 6 months were compared between MACH and GBAE groups, no significant differences were encountered except for implants placed in an equicrestal position (P = 0.04). However, multivariable regression analysis revealed no significant differences between MACH and GBAE implants placed in a supracrestal (β = ?0.08; P = 0.45), equicrestal (β = ?0.05; P = 0.50), or subcrestal (β = ?0.13; P = 0.19) position. Conclusion: Surface treatment of the implant neck had no significant influence on crestal bone changes around PS implants with and without a MACH collar.     

Biomechanical Evaluation of Subcrestal Placement of Dental Implants: In Vitro and Numerical Analyses

Background: This study investigates the effect of depth of insertion in subcrestal cortical bone (SB) and thickness of connected cortical bone (CB) for a subcrestal implant placement on bone stress and strain using statistical analyses combined with experimental strain‐gauge tests and numerical finite element (FE) simulations. Methods: Three experimental, artificial jawbone models and 72 FE models were prepared for evaluation of bone strain and stress around various equicrestal and subcrestal implants. For in vitro tests, rosette strain gauges were used with a data acquisition system to measure bone strain on the bucco‐lingual side. The maximum von Mises stresses in the bone were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance for FE models. Results: The experimental bone strains reduced significantly (22% to 49%) as the thickness of CB increased. FE analyses indicated that the suggested CB thickness for efficiently minimizing bone stress was 0.5 to 2.5 mm. The results for the depth of SB were not absolute because obvious stress reductions only presented at a certain range of depth (0.6 to 1.2 mm). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, increasing the thickness of CB and maintaining the depth of SB within a limited range can provide the benefit of decreasing the stress and strain in surrounding bone for subcrestally placed implants.     

Influence of Apico‐Coronal Implant Placement on Post‐Surgical Crestal Bone Loss in Humans

Background: Contradictory results exist regarding influence of apico‐coronal implant placement on crestal bone levels. Methods: Complete charts of patients ≥18 years old with one or more dental implants were included. Demographic, medical, surgical, and prosthetic information was recorded. Implant bone levels were evaluated at initial placement, implant uncovery, prosthetic delivery, and 3 to 6, 7 to 11, and 12 to 18 months post‐implant placement. Results: Charts of 55 patients and 134 implants were included. At baseline, 19.5%, 67.3%, and 13.3% of implants were recorded as equicrestal, subcrestal, and supracrestal, respectively, on their mesial aspect, and 32.1%, 50.0%, and 17.9% on their distal aspect, respectively. At time of prosthetic delivery, mesial aspect implant position was equicrestal in 35.4%, subcrestal in 17.7%, and supracrestal in 46.9% of cases, whereas on their distal aspects, the same categorical positions were found in 28.4%, 21.1%, and 50.5% of implants. For the mesial aspect of the implant, 3‐ to 6‐, 7‐ to 11‐, and 12‐ to 18‐month intervals, and for the distal aspect of the implant, 7‐ to 11‐ and 12‐ to 18‐month intervals, along with diabetes (for both mesial and distal), were associated with a statistically more apical position of the bone compared with baseline. Although the odds ratio of a subcrestal implant position at follow‐up times was statistically greater for implants located subcrestally at surgery, linear measures of differential crestal bone loss (CBL) as a function of the categorical initial placement of the implant (supracrestal, equicrestal, subcrestal) at 3‐ to 6‐, 7‐ to 11‐, and 12‐ to 18‐month time points generally showed no significant differences among groups. Conclusion: A subcrestal position of the implant at time of surgery leads to reduced odds of having implant threads exposed; however, it is associated with similar linear CBL compared with an equicrestal or supracrestal surgical position.     

Impact of?crestal and subcrestal implant placement in peri-implant bone: A prospective comparative study

Background

To assess the influence of the crestal or subcrestal placement of implants upon peri-implant bone loss over 12 months of follow-up.

Material and Methods

Twenty-six patients with a single hopeless tooth were recruited in the Oral Surgery Unit (Valencia University, Valencia, Spain). The patients were randomized into two treatment groups: group A (implants placed at crestal level) or group B (implants placed at subcrestal level). Control visits were conducted by a trained clinician at the time of implant placement and 12 months after loading. A previously established standard protocol was used to compile general data on all patients (sex and age, implant length and diameter, and brushing frequency). Implant success rate, peri-implant bone loss and the treatment of the exposed implant surface were studied. The level of statistical significance was defined as 5% (α=0.05).

Results

Twenty-three patients (8 males and 15 females, mean age 49.8±11.6 years, range 28-75 years) were included in the final data analyses, while three were excluded. All the included subjects were nonsmokers with a brushing frequency of up to twice a day in 85.7% of the cases. The 23 implants comprised 10 crestal implants and 13 subcrestal implants. After implant placement, the mean bone position with respect to the implant platform in group A was 0.0 mm versus 2.16±0.88 mm in group B. After 12 months of follow-up, the mean bone positions were -0.06±1.11 mm and 0.95±1.50 mm, respectively - this representing a bone loss of 0.06±1.11 mm in the case of the crestal implants and of 1.22±1.06 mm in the case of the subcrestal implants (p=0.014). Four crestal implants and 5 subcrestal implants presented peri-implant bone levels below the platform, leaving a mean exposed treated surface of 1.13 mm and 0.57 mm, respectively. The implant osseointegration success rate at 12 months was 100% in both groups.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, bone loss was found to be greater in the case of the subcrestal implants, though from the clinical perspective these implants presented bone levels above the implant platform after 12 months of follow-up. Key words:Immediate implants, tooth extraction, dental implants, single-tooth, crestal bone, placement level.     

Effects of implant design on marginal bone changes around early loaded, chemically modified, sandblasted Acid-etched-surfaced implants: a histologic analysis in dogs

Background: A minimal marginal bone loss around implants during early healing has been considered acceptable. However, the preservation of the marginal bone is related to soft tissue stability and esthetics. Implant designs and surfaces were evaluated to determine their impact on the behavior of the crestal bone. The purpose of this study is to evaluate histologic marginal bone level changes around early loaded, chemically modified, sandblasted acid‐etched–surfaced implants with a machined collar (MC) or no MC (NMC). Methods: Three months after a tooth extraction, 72 sandblasted acid‐etched chemically modified implants were placed in six dogs. Thirty‐six implants had NMC, and 36 implants had a 2.8‐mm MC. All implants were loaded 21 days after placement. For histologic analyses, specimens were obtained at 3 and 12 months. Assessments of the percentage of the total bone‐to‐implant contact and linear measurements of the distance from the shoulder of the implant to the first bone‐to‐implant contact (fBIC) were performed. Based on fBIC measurements, estimates of bone loss were obtained for each implant. A mixed‐model analysis of variance was used to assess the effects of implant type and sacrifice time. Results: All implants achieved osseointegration. The mean bone gain observed around NMC early loaded implants (at 3 months: 0.13 ± 0.37 mm; at 12 months: 0.13 ± 0.44 mm) was significantly different from the mean bone loss for MC early loaded implants (at 3 months: ?0.32 ± 0.70 mm; at 12 months: ?0.79 ± 0.35 mm) at 3 months (P = 0.003) and 12 months (P <0.001). No infrabony component was present at the marginal fBIC around NMC implants in most cases. There were no statistically significant differences among the means of total bone contact for implant types. Conclusions: Chemically modified, sandblasted acid‐etched–surfaced implants with NMC presented crestal bone gain after 3 and 12 months under loading conditions in the canine mandible. The implant design and surface were determinants in the marginal bone level preservation.     

One abutment at one time: non-removal of an immediate abutment and its effect on bone healing around subcrestal tapered implants

Objectives: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the effects of abutment removal after 6 months on bone healing after the subcrestal placement of immediately restored, tapered implants in cases of partial posterior mandibular edentulism. Material and methods: Each of the 24 patients with partial posterior mandibular edentulism was consecutively treated with two immediately restored 3.5 mm diameter tapered implants. A total of 48 implants were placed in healed sites and immediately splinted with a temporary restoration, which was placed in such a way as to avoid occlusal contact. Twenty‐four weeks after surgery, 12 patients underwent the standard prosthetic protocol: the abutments were removed and impressions were made directly on the implant platform. Twelve patients underwent the “one abutment at one time” protocol: impressions were made of the abutments using snap‐on abutment copies. The final restoration was delivered approximately 6 months after implant insertion. Vertical and horizontal bone changes were assessed using periapical radiographs immediately after surgery and at 6‐, 12‐, 24‐ and 36‐month follow‐up examinations. Results: All implants osseointegrated and were clinically stable at the 6‐month follow‐up. No statistically significant difference was evidenced between the two groups regarding the measurement of vertical bone healing. A small but significant horizontal bone loss was evidenced in the hard tissue portion over the implant platform in the period of time between the 6‐month and 1‐year follow‐up in the control group. Conclusions: The non‐removal of an abutment placed at the time of surgery results in a statistically significant reduction of the horizontal bone remodeling around the immediately restored, subcrestally placed, tapered implant in cases of partial posterior mandibular edentulism. To cite this article:
Degidi M, Nardi D, Piattelli A. One abutment at one time: non‐removal of an immediate abutment and its effect on bone healing around subcrestal tapered implants.
Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 22 , 2011; 1303–1307.
doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2010.02111.x     

Influence of a machined collar on crestal bone changes around titanium implants: a histometric study in the canine mandible

Background: It has been shown that peri‐implant crestal bone reactions are influenced by both a rough–smooth implant border in one‐piece, non‐submerged, as well as an interface (microgap [MG] between implant/abutment) in two‐piece butt‐joint, submerged and non‐submerged implants being placed at different levels in relation to the crest of the bone. According to standard surgical procedures, the rough–smooth implant border for implants with a smooth collar should be aligned with the crest of the bone exhibiting a smooth collar adjacent to peri‐implant soft tissues. No data, however, are available for implants exhibiting a sandblasted, large‐grit and acid‐etched (SLA) surface all the way to the top of a non‐submerged implant. Thus, the purpose of this study is to histometrically examine crestal bone changes around machined versus SLA‐surfaced implant collars in a side‐by‐side comparison. Methods: A total of 60 titanium implants (30 machined collars and 30 SLA collars) were randomly placed in edentulous mandibular areas of five foxhounds forming six different subgroups (implant subgroups A to F). The implants in subgroups A to C had a machined collar (control), whereas the implants in subgroups D to F were SLA‐treated all the way to the top (MG level; test). Furthermore, the MGs of the implants were placed at different levels in relation to the crest of the bone: the implants in subgroups A and E were 2 mm above the crest, in subgroups C and D 1 mm above, in subgroup B 3 mm above, and in subgroup F at the bone crest level. For all implants, abutment healing screws were connected the day of surgery. These caps were loosened and immediately retightened monthly. At 6 months, animals were sacrificed and non‐decalcified histology was analyzed by evaluating peri‐implant crestal bone levels. Results: For implants in subgroup A, the estimated mean crestal bone loss (± SD) was ?0.52 ± 0.40 mm; in subgroup B, +0.16 ± 0.40 mm (bone gain); in subgroup C, ?1.28 ± 0.21 mm; in subgroup D, ?0.43 ± 0.43 mm; in subgroup E, ?0.03 ± 0.48 mm; and in subgroup F, ?1.11 ± 0.27 mm. Mean bone loss for subgroup A was significantly greater than for subgroup E (P = 0.034) and bone loss for subgroup C was significantly greater than for subgroup D (P <0.001). Conclusions: Choosing a completely SLA‐surfaced non‐submerged implant can reduce the amount of peri‐implant crestal bone loss and reduce the distance from the MG to the first bone–implant contact around unloaded implants compared to implants with a machined collar. Furthermore, a slightly exposed SLA surface during implant placement does not seem to compromise the overall hard and soft tissue integration and, in some cases, results in coronal bone formation in this canine model.     

Influence of microgap location and configuration on the periimplant bone morphology in submerged implants. An experimental study in dogs

Objectives: The vertical location of the implant‐abutment connection influences the periimplant bone morphology. It is unknown, however, whether different microgap configurations cause different bone reactions. Therefore, in this study the bone morphologies of two different implant systems were compared. Material and methods: Three months after tooth extraction in eight mongrel dogs, two grit‐blasted screw implants with internal Morse taper connection (ANK group) were placed on one side whereas the contralateral side received two oxidized screw implants with external hex (TIU group). One implant on each side was placed level with the bone (equicrestal), the second implant was inserted 1.5 mm below bone level (subcrestal). After 3 months the implants were uncovered. Three months after stage two surgery, histometrical evaluations were performed in order to assess the periimplant bone levels (PBL), the first bone‐to‐implant contact points (BICP), the width (HBD) and the steepness (SLO) of the bone defect. Results: All implants osseointegrated clinically and histologically. Bone overgrowth of the microgap was seen in ANK implants only. No significant differences between ANK and TIU could be detected in neither vertical position for PBL and BICP. However, a tendency in favor of ANK was visible when the implants were placed subcrestally. In the parameters HBD (ANK equicrestal ?0.23 mm; TIU equicrestal ?0.51 mm; ANK subcrestal +0.19 mm; TIU subcrestal ?0.57 mm) and SLO (ANK equicrestal 35.36°; TIU equicrestal 63.22°; ANK subcrestal 20.40°; TIU subcrestal 44.43°) more pronounced and significant differences were noted. Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, it is concluded that different microgap designs cause different shapes and sizes of the periimplant (‘dish‐shaped’) bone defect in submerged implants both in equicrestal and subcrestal positions.     

The effect of subcrestal placement of the polished surface of ITI® implants on marginal soft and hard tissues

In order to achieve esthetically more satisfying results, it has been proposed to place ITI implants with their border between the rough and smooth surfaces below the level of the alveolar crest, thereby obtaining a submucosally located implant shoulder following healing. The aim of the present experimental study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate the tissue response to the placement of one-stage transmucosal implants with the border between the rough and the smooth surfaces sunk by 1mm into a subcrestal location. 11 patients underwent comprehensive dental care including the placement of 2 implants of the ITI Dental Implant SystemTM in the same quadrant (test and control). Randomly assigned control implants were placed according to the manufacturer's instructions, i.e. the border between the rough titanium plasma-sprayed and the smooth polished surfaces precisely at the alveolar crest. At the test implants the apical border of the polished surface was placed ?1mm below the alveolar crest. Probing bone levels were assessed at implant placement (baseline), 4 and 12 months later. Modified plaque and modified gingival indices were recorded at 1, 2, 3,4 and 12 months. Clinical probing depth and “attachment” levels were measured at 4 and 12 months. All parameters were assessed at 6 sites around each implant. The mean for each implant was calculated and used for analysis. The Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test and the Student r-test were applied to detect differences over time and between the test and control implants. At baseline, a mean difference in probing bone level of ?0.86mm (SD 0.43 mm, p<0.05) was found between test and control implants with the test implants being placed more deeply. Both test and control implants lost a significant amount of clinical bone height during the first 4 months (test 1.16mm, p<0.05: control 0.58 mm. p<0.05). However, only the test implants significantly lost clinical bone height from 4–12 months (test 1.04 mm, p<0.05; control 0.45mm, p=0.08). Overall, the test implants lost 2.26mm and the control implants 1.02mm of bone height during the first year of service. On the average, the test implants demonstrated a bone level 0.38mm lower than the controls at 12 months. Except for the modified gingival index at 4 months (mean difference 0.21, SD 0.19, p<0.05), no clinical parameters yielded significant differences between test and control implants at any time. It is concluded that in addition to the crestal bone resorption occurring at 1 implants placed under standard conditions, the bone adjacent to the polished surface of 1 more deeply placed ITI implants is also lost over time. Form a biological point of view, the placement of the border between the rough and the smooth surfaces into a subcrestal location should not be recommended.     

Influences of internal tapered abutment designs on bone stresses around a dental implant: three-dimensional finite element method with statistical evaluation

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of various designs of internal tapered abutment joints on the stress induced in peri‐implant crestal bone by using the three‐dimensional finite element method and statistical analyses. Methods: Thirty‐six models with various internal tapered abutment–implant interface designs including different abutment diameters (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mm), connection depths (4, 6, and 8 mm), and tapers (2°, 4°, 6°, and 8°) were constructed. A force of 170 N was applied to the top surface of the abutment either vertically or 45° obliquely. The maximum von Mises bone‐stress values in the crestal bone surrounding the implant were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance. In addition, patterns of bone stress around the implant were examined. Results: The results demonstrate that a smaller abutment diameter and a longer abutment connection significantly reduced the bone stresses (P <0.0001) in vertical and oblique loading conditions. Moreover, when the tapered abutment–implant interfaced connection was more parallel, bone stresses under vertical loading were less (P = 0.0002), whereas the abutment taper did not show significant effects on bone stresses under oblique loading (P = 0.83). Bone stresses were mainly influenced by the abutment diameter, followed by the abutment connection depth and the abutment taper. Conclusion: For an internal tapered abutment design, it was suggested that a narrower and deeper abutment–implant interface produced the biomechanical advantage of reducing the stress concentration in the crestal region around an implant.     

Longitudinal Comparison of Cytokines in Peri‐Implant Fluid and Gingival Crevicular Fluid in Healthy Mouths

Background: Peri‐implant and gingival tissues provide important sealing and protective functions around implants and teeth, but comparisons of the immunologic responses of these tissues after implant placement have not been conducted. Cytokine levels were measured in peri‐implant crevicular fluid (PICF) and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as surrogate measures of immune function at subcrestally placed dental implants and healthy periodontal sites during a 1‐year monitoring period. Methods: A total of 27 dental implants were placed subcrestally in 21 periodontally healthy patients (mean age: 49.0 ± 13.4 years). Repeated clinical and cytokine measurements were obtained over 12 months. GCF and PICF samples were collected and analyzed by cytokine microarray. Data were examined by non‐parametric analysis of variance. Results: Plaque and bleeding indices were similar among all patients (P >0.05) at baseline. During 1 year of monitoring, the mean volumes of PICF and GCF were similar (P >0.05). The levels of interleukin (IL)‐4, ‐6, ‐10, and ‐12p70, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and interferon‐γ in GCF and PICF were not significantly different and did not vary over time (P >0.05). The levels of IL‐1α were higher in GCF than PICF at 1, 2, 6, and 12 months, as were the levels of IL‐8 at 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months (P <0.001). Transforming growth factor‐β1 in PICF and GCF exhibited time‐dependent increases, and vascular endothelial growth factor was reduced at 1 year without differences between PICF and GCF (P >0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study design, it can be concluded that after subcrestal implant placement, the immune response of peri‐implant and periodontal tissues, as assessed by cytokine levels in PICF and GCF, is similar.     

The biomechanical analysis of relative position between implant and alveolar bone: finite element method

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze biomechanical interactions in the alveolar bone surrounding implants with smaller‐diameter abutments by changing position of the fixture–abutment interface, loading direction, and thickness of cortical bone using the finite element method. Methods: Twenty different finite element models including four types of cortical bone thickness (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm) and five implant positions relative to bone crest (subcrestal 1, implant shoulder 1 mm below bone crest; subcrestal 0.5, implant shoulder 0.5 mm below bone crest; at crestal implant shoulder even with bone crest; supracrestal 0.5, implant shoulder 0.5 mm above bone crest; and supracrestal 1, implant shoulder 1 mm above bone crest) were analyzed. All models were simulated under two different loading angles (0 and 45 degrees) relative to the long axis of the implant, respectively. The three factors of implant position, loading type, and thickness of cortical bone were computed for all models. Results: The results revealed that loading type and implant position were the main factors affecting the stress distribution in bone. The stress values of implants in the supracrestal 1 position were higher than all other implant positions. Additionally, compared with models under axial load, the stress values of models under off‐axis load increased significantly. Conclusions: Both loading type and implant position were crucial for stress distribution in bone. The supracrestal 1 implant position may not be ideal to avoid overloading the alveolar bone surrounding implants.     

Immediate transmucosal implant placement in molar extraction sites: a 12-month prospective multicenter cohort study

Aim: To assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes of immediate transmucosal placement of implants into molar extraction sockets. Study design: Twelve‐month multicenter prospective cohort study. Material and methods: Following molar extraction, tapered implants with an endosseous diameter of 4.8 mm and a shoulder diameter of 6.5 mm were immediately placed into the sockets. Molars with evidence of acute periapical pathology were excluded. After implant placement and achievement of primary stability, flaps were repositioned and sutured allowing a non‐submerged, transmucosal healing. Peri‐implant marginal defects were treated according to the principles of guided bone regeneration (GBR) by means of deproteinized bovine bone mineral particles in conjunction with a bioresrobable collagen membrane. Standardized radiographs were obtained at baseline and 12 months thereafter. Changes in depth and width of the distance from the implant shoulder (IS) and from the alveolar crest (AC) to the bottom of the defect (BD) were assessed. Results: Eighty‐two patients (42 males and 40 females) were enrolled and followed for 12 months. They contributed with 82 tapered implants. Extraction sites displayed sufficient residual bone volume to allow primary stability of all implants. Sixty‐four percent of the implants were placed in the areas of 36 and 46. GBR was used in conjunction with the placement of all implants. No post‐surgical complications were observed. All implants healed uneventfully yielding a survival rate of 100% and healthy soft tissue conditions after 12 months. Radiographically, statistically significant changes (P<0.0001) in mesial and distal crestal bone levels were observed from baseline to the 12‐month follow‐up. Conclusions: The findings of this 12‐month prospective cohort study showed that immediate transmucosal implant placement represented a predictable treatment option for the replacement of mandibular and maxillary molars lost due to reasons other than periodontitis including vertical root fractures, endodontic failures and caries.