Radiographic identification of threaded endosseous dental implants.
BACKGROUND
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.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to document features that would help dentists identify threaded implant bodies from their radiographic images.


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, 28 of which were identified as 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.


CONCLUSIONS
Information from this study should help dentists identify threaded endosseous implants from their radiographic images.
Sahiwal
Indira G
IG
Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University System, Dallas, Texas, USA. isahwal@yahoo.com
Woody
Ronald D
RD
Benson
Byron W
BW
Guillen
Guillermo E
GE
D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D006801:Humans; D011861:Radiography, Dental
D015921:Dental Implants