Assessing changes of peri-implant bone using digital subtraction radiography

Digital subtraction radiography may be one of the most precise and noninvasive methods for assessing subtle density changes in peri-implant bone, providing additional diagnostic information on implant tissue integration in overall maintenance. The aims of this study were to evaluate density changes after first, second surgery of dental implant and to measure the amount of marginal bone loss 9 months after second surgery using digital subtraction radiography. Bone change around 30 screw-shaped implants in 16 patients were assessed on radiographs. 17 Branemark implants of 3.75mm in diameter(Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden), 2 Branemark implants of 5.0mm in diameter, 11 $Replace^{TM}$ implants of 4.3mm in diameter(Nobel Biocare, Goteborg, Sweden) were used. To standardize the projection geometry of serial radiographs of implants, customized bite block was fabricated using XCP film holder(Rinn Corporation, Elgin, IL.) with polyether impression material of Impregum(ESPE, Germany) and direct digital image was obtained. Qualitative and quantitative changes on radiographs were measured with Emago software(The Oral Diagnostic System, Amsterdam, Netherlands). The results were as follows: 1. The peri-implant bone density of 69.2% implants did not change and the peri-implant bone density of 30.8% implants decreased after 3 months following first surgery. 2. The crestal bone density of 53.9% implants decreased first 3 months after second surgery. The crestal bone density of 58.8% implants increased 9 months after second surgery. No density change was observed around the midportion of the implants after second surgery, 3. The amount of marginal bone loss between different kinds of implants showed no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). 4. More than 90% of total marginal bone loss recorded in a 9-month period occurred during the first 3 months.