Radiographic identification of nonthreaded endosseous dental implants

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The identification of dental implant bodies in patients without available records is a considerable problem due to increased patient mobility and to the large number of implant systems with different designs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to document features that would help dentists identify non-threaded implant bodies from their radiographic images. MATERIAL AND METHODS: More than 50 implant manufacturers were contacted and asked to provide implants with dimensions as close as possible to 3.75 mm (diameter) x 10 mm (length). Forty-four implants were donated, 16 of which were identified as non-threaded. Radiographs were made of these implants at 0 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, and 90 degrees horizontal rotation combined with -20 degrees, -10 degrees, 0 degrees, +10 degrees, and +20 degrees vertical inclination relative to the radiographic beam and film. A total of 20 images per implant were taken and examined to identify consistent, unique features that would aid in implant identification. At a 20 degrees vertical inclination, vital features of implants were distorted enough to be deemed unrecognizable. Therefore, only those observations made from radiographs between -10 degrees and +10 degrees vertical inclination were used for implant identification purposes. RESULTS: All implants could be recognized from radiographs made between -10 degrees and +10 degrees vertical inclination. A series of tables and flowcharts describe the implants according to their identifying features. CONCLUSION: Information from this study should help dentists identify non-threaded endosseous implants from their radiographic images.