Changes in Crestal Bone Around Endosseous Implants During Functional Loading: A Radiographic Evaluation in Edentulous Patients Comparing Different Implant Designs

Marginal bone changes around titanium plasma-sprayed implants (n = 240) placed in the mandibular interforaminal regions of 120 edentulous patients were assessed over 5 years of follow-up, with emphasis on the influence of the locations of the microgap and rough/smooth border. Marginal bone changes were measured on standardized radiographs. Locations of the microgap and the rough/smooth border were both shown not to be major contributing factors in determining the marginal bone level around implants.