Do Immediate Implants Exhibit Deeper Vertical Positioning Than Delayed Implants? Radiographic Findings and Clinical Implications.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to highlight the significance of implant timing in influencing the insertion depth of implants by measuring the insertion depth of immediate and delayed implants immediately after placement.

Methods: The study examined 76 dental implant cases, categorizing them into immediate (placed on the same day as extraction) with 41 cases and delayed (placed at least 2 months after extraction) with 35 cases, based on the timing relative to tooth extraction. The inclusion criteria included patients receiving bone-level implants in the maxilla or mandible with adjacent teeth, while the exclusion criteria comprised patients with prior regenerative procedures or severe periodontitis. Insertion depth was measured using retro-alveolar radiographs and ImageJ software, with reference levels determined by the cemento-enamel junction of adjacent teeth. Statistical analysis was performed to compare immediate and delayed implants using the Shapiro-Wilk test, ANOVA test, and independent-samples t-test.

Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in insertion depth between immediate and delayed implants, with immediate implants exhibiting deeper insertion (mean insertion depth of 4.9608 mm) than delayed implants (mean insertion depth of 3.3799 mm). No significant correlation was found between insertion depth and implant site or length, for immediate implants, nor between insertion depth and implant site for delayed implants.

Conclusion: In this study population, immediate implants showed a greater insertion depth, resulting in a more apical vertical position compared to delayed implants. Nonetheless, no discernible correlation was observed between implant site or length and insertion depth for immediate implants, nor between insertion depth and implant site for delayed implants.