Fractal analysis as a useful predictor for determining osseointegration of dental implant? A retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose The present study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of fractal analysis on determining the osseointegration of dental implants. Material and methods In a single center, retrospective clinical trial, patients with dental implants in the mandibular premolar/molar region, ASA I–II and < 65-year-old patients were included. Orthopantomograph (OPG) were taken before implant surgery (t0), within a week of surgery (t1), and 1 (t2) and 2 (t3) months after surgery, respectively. Three regions of interest (ROIs) from mesial, distal, and apical sites of the implants were chosen and fractal analysis (FA) was conducted with the box-counting algorithm using White and Rudolph’s method. Results A total of 39 patients 19 women and 20 men, with a mean age of 52.2 years (52.3 and 52.1 years, respectively) were included. The mean, minimum and maximum values of mesial (roi1), distal (roi2), and apical (roi3) surfaces were compared. The fractal dimension (FD) values of t1 were significantly lower compared with t0 as they decreased during the first week. FD values gradually increased after the first week although never exceeded the FD values of t0. Also, difference between mean FD values of t0 and t3 were found statistically significant (p < 0.05). Discussion FA is a promising and noninvasive method to predict osseointegration of a dental implant based on dental radiographs, and it can help shorten the total treatment time.

Surface Evaluation of Orthodontic Brackets Using Texture and Fractal Dimension Analysis

“…As a relatively simple technique that provides information about the complexity of the geometric structure of a surface, computer image analysis and the quantity, such as fractal dimension, can be used. Fractal and multifractal surface properties have so far been determined for many materials, including metallic materials and their alloys, ceramic, polymeric and amorphous materials [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. With this in mind, it can be assumed that the fractal analysis method can be a reliable and relatively simple method that may be used to compare the complexity and repeatability of slot surfaces of different orthodontic brackets.…”

Evaluation of change in trabecular bone structure surrounding dental implants by fractal dimension analysis and comparison with radiomorphometric indicators: a retrospective study

“… Heo et al (2002) also reported that FD decreased on the second day after orthognathic surgery and FD gradually increased over time. Soylu et al (2021) evaluated trabeculation around implants using fractal analysis on panoramic radiographs obtained in short-period intervals and concluded FD was significantly lower in first week measurements. This can be explained by the healing pattern of the bone.…”

Peri-implant bone microstructural analysis and comparison of resonance frequency analysis before prosthetic placement: a retrospective study

“…The complexity of irregular objects may be represented by fractal dimension (FD) as a quantitative outcome [ 8 ]. In the literature, it is stated that the trabecular bone microarchitecture can be evaluated using fractal analysis on digital radiographic images [ 9 ]. FA on digital radiographs is not affected by alterations of exposure parameters or patient positions [ 10 , 11 ].…”