ALVEOLAR BONE LOSS & BONE DENSITY CHANCES DURING THE FIRST YEAR A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON FOUR TYPES OF ROOT-FORM ENDOSSEOUS DENTAL IMPLANT SYSTEMS

치근형 골내 임플란트의 초기 1년간 치조골 소실 및 골 밀도 변화에 관한 연구

Regular radiographic examination has been considered an essential diagnositic method for osseointegrated dental implantation. This study investigated marginal bone loss through the measurement on periapical radiographs and changes in bone density through digital subtraction image radiographic method around 88 endoseous root-form dental implants in 43 human subjects. Four types of endosseous dental implants were investigated : Standard series, Mini series and Hex-lock system of Steri-Oss Dental implant system, and $Br{\aa}nemark$-type implant from 3i dental implant system, in a 3 month interval for a total period of 12 months. The results were as follows : 1. Rapid bone loss occurred in the first 3 months in all 4 groups, and the bone level stabilized at the first thread of the implant fixtures. Amount of bone loss for 12 months showed correlation with the length of the polished neck portion. 2. Most of the implant systems showed resorption of alveolar bone up to the polished neck portion although a long polished neck could delay the resolution. 3. Alveolar bone loss apical to the polished neck portion stabilized at the first thread of the fixtures with no correlation to either the time of exposure of the polished neck or types of implant systems. 4. No changes in bone density around the implant threads were observed throughout the experimental period. Bone density decreased at the marginal bone, and increased at the newly-formed alveolar crest. These results indicate that most of the alveolar bone loss occur within the first 12 months after installation of endosseous root-form dental implants resulting in the exposure of polished neck portions, and the bone level stabilizes thereafter at the first thread portions of the implant fixtures. The experimental period of 12 months seems insufficient for observing changes in bone density, and a long-term observation should be needed.