Radiological evaluation of single implants in maxillary anterior sites with special emphasis on their relation to adjacent teeth: a 3-year follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to measure, in adults, changes in crest bone level around single dental implants in the anterior maxilla and continuous eruption of adjacent teeth.


METHODS
In this prospective study, 50 patients received single-implant-supported crowns in the maxillary anterior region. Enrolled patients lacked maxillary anterior teeth as a sequel to trauma or agenesis in the maxillary anterior region. Participants were followed during a 3-year period. Baseline radiographs were taken at the time of loading and then repeated at one- and 3-year recalls. Radiographic parameters were recorded to assess changes in the skeletal bone structure and crest bone level.


RESULTS
Twenty-six patients attended for all recalls. Three patients were excluded owing to difficulties related to identifying the same radiographic landmark on the radiographs throughout the recall period. All implants were successfully integrated with no sign of peri-implantitis. The mean crest bone loss was 0.45 mm at the mesial aspect of the implant and 0.56 mm at the distal aspect. In smokers, there was significant bone loss on the distal aspect. Mean change between reference points on implant and adjacent tooth (continuous eruption of adjacent tooth) over the 3-year period was 0.67 mm. In women, mean change (0.79 mm) was statistically insignificantly higher, compared with men (0.59 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
Radiographic evaluation of crest bone level showed slight bone loss after 3 years of functional loading. Some changes in the eruption of neighbouring teeth were seen. Being a smoker was associated with significant negative changes related to the crest bone level.
Department of Clinical Dentistry, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. vvi061@odont.uib.no
Vilhjálmur H
VH
Vilhjálmsson
Kristin S
KS
Klock
Kjell
K
Størksen
Asgeir
A
Bårdsen
D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods; D000848:Anodontia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003442:Crowns; D003481:Cuspid / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000293:injuries; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000379:methods; D012907:Smoking; D014078:Tooth Eruption / Q000502:physiology; D014962:X-Ray Film; D055815:Young Adult