Peri-implant behavior of tissue level dental implants with a convergent neck

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the radiographic periimplant bone loss of bone level implants and tissue level implants with a convergent neck in screw-retained single crowns and in screw-retained fixed partial prostheses, after two years of functional loading. Materials and methods: The sample was divided into two groups according to their type: Group I: supracrestal implants with convergent transmucosal neck; Group II: crestal implants. In each group we distinguish two subgroups according to the type of prosthetic restoration: single crowns and a three-piece fixed partial prosthesis on two implants. To quantify bone loss, parallelized periapical radiographs were analyzed at the time of implant placement and after two years of functional load. Results: A total of 120 implants were placed in 53 patients. After statistical analysis it was observed that for each type of implant bone loss was 0.97 0.91 mm for bone level and 0.31 0.48 mm for tissue level. No significant differences were found regarding the type of prosthesis and the location (maxilla or mandible) of the implants. Conclusions: Tissue level implants with a convergent transepithelial neck exhibit less peri-implant bone loss than bone level implants regardless of the type of prosthesis.