Peri-Implant Behavior of Sloped Shoulder Dental Implants Used for All-On-Four Protocols: An Histomorphometric Analysis in Dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the soft tissue thickness and marginal bone loss around dental implants with sloped micro-threaded shoulder (35 degrees angle) in comparing with conventional design, inserted 35 degrees degrees angulated in post extraction sockets and immediate loaded with temporary prosthesis simulating the all-on-four protocol. Materials and Methods: Six fox hound dogs received forty-eight post extraction dental implants with the same diameter and length (Medentika, Germany), but with different neck configurations. Two group of implants were inserted 1mm subcrestal. Control group has a micro-threaded neck and the Test group has a sloped microthreaded neck. Immediate loading was applied using a constructed metallic structure. After three months, soft and hard tissue levels were assessed by histomorphometric analysis. Results: The mean soft tissue thickness (STT) was 2.5 +/- 0.2 mm for the Control group and 3.3 +/- 0.3 mm for Test group (p = 0.036), meanwhile the mean marginal bone loss (MBL) was 1.53 +/- 0.34 mm for Control group and, 1.62 +/- 0.22 mm for Test group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this experimental model in dogs, the findings showed that dental implants with microthreaded and microthreaded sloped necks installed in immediate post extraction sites with immediate load, presented a comparable perimplant tissue behavior.