Peri-implant bone preservation of a novel, self-cutting, and fully tapered implant in the healed crestal ridge of minipigs: submerged vs. transgingival healing

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the influence of transgingival compared with submerged healing on peri-implant bone maintenance around a novel, fully tapered implant in a healed crestal ridge in minipigs. Materials and methods In each of 12 minipigs, two implants (Straumann (R) BLX, Roxolid (R) SLActive (R), o 3.75 x 8 mm) were placed. Implants were either left for submerged or for transgingival healing for 12 weeks. Measurements performed were bone-to-implant contact (BIC), first bone-to-implant contact (fBIC), bone area to total area (BATA), perpendicular bone crest to implant shoulder (pCIS), bone height change from placement, and bone overgrowth (for submerged implants). Results No significant differences were found between transgingival and submerged healing in any of the measured parameters, except for BATA on the buccal aspect in which significantly more bone formation was found for the transgingival healing group. For both groups, there was a gain in crestal bone height during the 12-week healing period. Conclusions Loaded compared with unloaded implants displayed comparable levels of osseointegration and equivalent marginal bone levels. This qualifies the implant placement protocol with respect to the osteotomy dimensions and subcrestal placement protocol for immediate loading.

Automated summary

In this study, the influence of transgingival compared with submerged healing on peri-implant bone maintenance around a novel implant in minipigs was evaluated. The results showed no significant differences between transgingival and submerged healing in most parameters, except for more bone formation on the buccal aspect in the transgingival healing group. Both groups demonstrated an increase in crestal bone height during the healing period. Loaded and unloaded implants displayed comparable levels of osseointegration and equivalent marginal bone levels.