Abstract
Background: To the best of our knowledge, the influence of external versus internal implant-abutment connections on crestal bone remodeling has not been reported. The aim of the present study is to investigate the influence of the abutment connection on peri-implant crestal bone levels (CBLs) using radiographic recordings. Methods: Radiographic recordings from 40 single-tooth implants (20 external and 20 internal octagonal connections; one implant/patient) in 40 patients (15 males and 25 females; mean age: 54.3 years) were selected for analyses. The radiographic evaluation included the following: 1) linear bone change (LBC); 2) dimensional change (DC); and 3) angle between the implant and adjacent bone (AIB). Differences in LBC, DC, and AIB between implant placement and 1 year after loading for each system were evaluated using a paired ttest. Comparison of LBC, DC, and AIB between systems at 1 year after loading was done using analysis of covariance. The significance level was set at P≤0.05. Results: Radiographic CBLs (LBCs) were reduced at 1 year after loading compared to those at implant placement to reach statistical significance for the external connection (P= 0.000) but not the internal connection (P= 0.939). CBL changes were significantly greater for the external compared to the internal connection (P= 0.000). Similarly, the DC for the external connection was significantly greater compared to that for the internal connection (P= 0.004). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the implant-abutment connection technology appears to have a significant impact on peri-implant CBLs, with the external connection paralleled by a significant reduction of CBLs.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1104-1109 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of periodontology |
Volume | 83 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2012 |
Keywords
- Alveolar bone loss
- Dental abutments
- Dental implants
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Periodontics