Comparison of crestal bone resorption in immediate and delayed implants on radiographic views: A preliminary study

Introduction: Less bone loss and preservation of more osseous structures have been reported around immediately placed implants. Considering controversies over the success rates of immediate versus delayed implant placement, this study aimed to compare crestal bone loss and success rates of these two implant techniques.Materials and methods: In this preliminary clinical trial, 12 implants (6 immediate and 6 delayed) were placed in male patients aged 30‒60. Parallel periapical radiographs were obtained one week later. The patients were re-examined at 6-month and one-year follow-up intervals and PA radiographs were obtained again under the same conditions. Scanned radiographs were subtracted and compared using Photoshop software. Data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney test using SPSS 21 (α=0.05). Results: Immediate implants exhibited less crestal bone loss compared to delayed implants at 6-month (p value = 0.009) and one-year (p value = 0.002) follow-up intervals. Conclusion: The results showed less crestal bone loss around immediately placed implants; therefore, this technique might be considered as a more successful treatment plan for patients compared to the conventional technique. Key words: Bone resorption, Dental implants, Early dental implant loading, Osseointegration