Radiographic evaluation of bone density around immediately loaded implants

Understanding the changes in bone density after insertion of dental implants and their relation to immediate loading is essential to achieving improvements in their survival rate. Histological investigations of the bone bed in humans are limited, which in turn hampers opportunities to deepen knowledge about the remodelling process around dental implants. The aim of the present study was to follow the change in bone density by measuring the grey values of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) at different periods subsequent to implant insertion. The CBCTs of 20 individual immediately loaded implants were evaluated at three time points: prior to surgery, one month following, and six months after the operation. The grey values were measured at different regions around the implants. Reduction in the grey values was observed with respect to the reference values after one month and six months from implant insertion in the apical, middle, and cervical regions. No correlation was detected either between the change in grey values and drilling method or with the measured primary and secondary stabilities by Osstell ISQ instrument. Cone beam computed tomography can be used as a qualitative method to support clinical follow up and monitor the changes in bone density around implants in critical cases. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.