Cone beam computed tomography outcomes in patients diagnosed with compromised bone health undergoing dental implant therapy and bone augmentation.

Abstract

Statement of problem: Studies examining mid-term treatment outcomes of implant placement with bone augmentation in patients with compromised bone health are lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective, nonrandomized cohort study was to evaluate the cone bean computed tomography (CBCT) outcomes of implant placement with bone augmentation in postmenopausal women.

Material and methods: For this best practice, standard of care study, 78 participants received 1 test implant along with 1 or a combination of 3 bone augmentation procedures: particulate graft, expansion, or block graft. Participants were categorized as healthy (n=49) or bone compromised (n=29). Using CBCT scans made preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively, the augmented alveolar ridge widths were measured in a buccolingual (BL) dimension 2 mm and 6 mm apical to the coronal aspect of the implant's rough surface. Additionally, peri-implant bone height was measured on the mesial and distal implant surfaces at the mid-alveolar aspect of the ridge using a coronal panoramic view.

Results: Both study groups exhibited an increase in horizontal BL measurements at the 2-mm and 6-mm landmarks from preoperative to immediate postoperative time points and a minimal decrease from intermediate postoperative to 2 years postoperative. The mean proximal height decreased over time in healthy participants but did not show a significant change in participants with compromised bone. The linear mixed effects model results revealed that the mean difference between groups significantly decreased over time at the 2-mm landmark (P<.05); however, no significant group-time interactions were found for the BL width at the 6-mm landmark and proximal height measurements (P=.627).

Conclusions: Mid-term CBCT measurements showed significant bone augmentation immediately after surgery and 2 years after surgery and stable proximal bone adjacent to implants in postmenopausal women diagnosed with compromised bone health.