title: A proposed radiographic index for assessment of the current status of osseointegration.
abstract: The longevity of an osseointegrated implant is directly affected by the maintenance of its osseous anchorage. Progressive marginal bone loss would be detrimental to its survival. This article proposes a new radiographic index for use in the radiographic assessment of peri-implant marginal bone levels. The index scores range from 0 to 6 and denote marginal bone loss in percentages relative to the implant body length measured from its coronal-most margin in an apical direction. The proposed index should be of significance in: (1) use of short implants (7 to 10 mm); (2) evaluation of implants functioning in areas of low bone density (types 3 and 4); (3) prognosis and treatment of ailing/failing implants; (4) follow-up of implants placed in extraction sites; and (5) correlation of crown-to-implant ratio with marginal bone loss.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Louisiana State University, School of Dentistry, New Orleans 70119.
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Meffert
mesh_terms: D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D016348:Osseointegration; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011861:Radiography, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants