Changes in the fractal dimension of peri-implant trabecular bone after loading: a retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess bony trabecular changes potentially caused by loading stress around dental implants using fractal dimension analysis.


METHODS
Fractal dimensions were measured in 48 subjects by comparing radiographs taken immediately after prosthesis delivery with those taken 1 year after functional loading. Regions of interest were isolated, and fractal analysis was performed using the box-counting method with Image J 1.42 software. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the difference in fractal dimension before and after implant loading.


RESULTS
The mean fractal dimension before loading (1.4213±0.0525) increased significantly to 1.4329±0.0479 at 12 months after loading (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Fractal dimension analysis might be helpful in detecting changes in peri-implant alveolar trabecular bone patterns in clinical situations.
Department of Periodontology, Gangnam Severance Dental Hospital, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Korea.
Teh-Jing
TJ
Mu
Dong-Won
DW
Lee
Kwang-Ho
KH
Park
Ik-Sang
IS
Moon
Bone remodeling; Dental implants; Fractals