Crestal Bone Changes Following Equi-crestal Versus Subcrestal Implant Placement

Statement of problem: The stability of peri-implant bone is a crucial factor for the long-term success of dental implants, where crestal bone plays a significant role in both the primary as well as the long- term implant stability. A bone loss of 1.5 mm during the first year of loading has been acceptable according to the early standards. However, more bone stability can be expected with the development in implant designs and surfaces over the past decades. Aim of the study: the aim of this study is to radiographically assess the crestal bone changes following delayed implant placement in mandibular previously augmented posterior sites, comparing cases with equicrestal implant placement with subcrestal implant placement. Materials and methods: This prospective, parallel, randomized controlled clinical trial will have 36 participants who need implant placement at the posterior mandibular area where they previously received horizontal bone augmentation. They will be randomly allocated into 2 groups, where group A (test) will receive dental implant placed subcrestally and group B (control) will receive implant placed equicrestally. Crestal bone loss will be assessed by periapical radiographs at implant placement (T0), 3 months (T3), 6 months (T6), 12 months (T12) and 18 months (T18) following implant placement. Keratinized tissue width, and soft tissue thickness will be measured clinically by periodontal probe at the same time points. Buccal bone changes will be evaluated at 18 months compared with the preoperative cone beam computed tomography by fusion module. Patient satisfaction will be recorded at the end of the trial.