A Comparative Study Evaluating the Effects of Crestal Bone Change Following Immediate and Delayed Implant Placement

Abstract

For the rehabilitation of the single-tooth space, a number of prosthodontic techniques have been known and are well established. Fixed and removable partial dentures being the easiest are associated with the major drawbacks of loss of tooth structure and vitality. Though replaced by implant supported rehabilitations, crestal bone loss has been reported as the one of the major factor affecting the long term prognosis. Thus the main aim of the study was to assess and compare the reverberations of immediate and delayed placement of implant on crestal bone height. Material and methodology: 30 patients aged between 18-60 years were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria and divided randomly into two groups of 15 each. In Group A immediate implant placement was done while in Group B delayed implant placement was done. In both the groups, Crestal bone height (Buccolingual width + interproximal height), keratinized mucosa index, Jemt papilla fill index, Plaque index, Gingival index and Periodontal attachment levels were analyzed at baseline, after 3, 6 and 12 months. Results: The parameters were recorded and analyzed statistically. Categorical values were analyzed using mean, frequency and percentage while descriptive analysis was done using student t test. It was observed that mean changes in crestal bone height, papilla filled index, periodontal attachment levels, gingival and plaque index was statistically significant in both the groups from baseline to 12 months, while keratinized mucosa index represented no change between the two groups. Conclusion: The study came to the conclusion that placing an immediate implant rather than a delayed should be significantly preferred. Though in immediate implant placement, crestal bone is preserved and gingival architecture is prevented from collapsing along with time of treatment, preservation of aesthetics and patient comfort being the other major advantages. Keywords: Aesthetics, Crestal Bone Height, Delayed Implant, Extraction Socket, Immediate Implant, Periodontal Parameters.