Radiographic peri-implant bone loss after a function time up to 15 years

Abstract

Objective

The aim was to assess the degree of radiographic peri-implant bone loss over a follow-up period up to 15 years. In addition, another aim was to identify risk indicators for peri-implant bone loss and for moderate–severe peri-implantitis at patient- and implant level.

Materials and methods

This is a cross-sectional clinical and radiological study of 147 patients with a total of 425 implants in combination with data collected retrospectively for baseline variables. To calculate the peri-implant bone loss (primary outcome variable), the radiographic bone level measurements from baseline were compared to the radiographic bone level measurements at the final radiographic measurement. Multilevel analyses were adopted with peri-implant bone loss and peri-implantitis as outcome variables.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 12.5 years (range 10–15) and the mean age of the patients was 63 years (range 29–83). The mean peri-implant bone loss was 0.94 mm (S.D. 1.3). The prevalence of moderate–severe peri-implantitis at patient level was 17% and 8.9% at implant level. The peri-implant bone loss was significantly more pronounced in healthy implants if moderate–severe peri-implantitis was present in at least one implant within the same patient. The presence of moderate–severe peri-implantitis was significantly associated with general periodontitis Stages III or IV at follow-up and smoking.

Conclusion

The presence of moderate–severe peri-implantitis at patient level was found to be a risk indicator of peri-implant bone loss in healthy implants, while smoking and general periodontitis Stages III and IV were risk indicators of moderate–severe peri-implantitis.

Keywords:

• Cross-sectional study
• dental implants
• peri-implant bone loss
• peri-implantitis
• risk indicators

Acknowledgements

This research project is dedicated to Dr Lottie Adler, who passed away 20 November 2019, and who contributed with substantial impact within all parts of the project.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest and are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author [L. J.], upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by Folktandvården Stockholms län AB, Sweden; The Swedish Dental Society, Sweden and Stockholm County Council (SOF project), Sweden.