Evaluation of cervical peri-implant optical density in longitudinal control of immediate implants in the anterior maxilla region

Abstract

Objective: This research aimed to longitudinally evaluate the optical density of peri-implant alveolar bone. The data acquired from study participants previously treated with 37 osseointegrated implants were analyzed utilizing the radiographic subtraction technique. Methods and materials: The radiographic follow-ups were performed five times: at the implantation of the prostheses and after 15, 90, 180 and 360 days. Intraoral radiographs were obtained by the paralleling technique using individualized Hanshin-type positioners to guarantee the standardization of the images. The obtained digital images were aligned and equalized before they were submitted to the radiographic subtraction procedure. Results: A significant difference was found between the distal region of Group I (patients treated with osseointegrated implants who required extraction of the dental element) and the 360 day follow-up and the distal region of Group II (patients with healed alveolar sockets) in all follow-up analyses (p < 0.05). We did not observe a significant difference between the groups analyzed and other follow-ups concerning the subcrestal and middle third regions for both the mesial and distal variables (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the distal sites [χ2 = 5,745,, p = 0.03], showing a significant association between time and the presence of bone resorption. This association was not shown on the mesial surface (p = 0.16). Conclusion: We concluded that there was no statistically significant difference between groups I and II. Using this technique, we were able to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the changes in the proximal sites on the digital radiographic images for the analyzed data. Digital subtraction technology to measure peri-implant bone density is an accurate and reproducible technique for quantifying peri-implant bone reactions to different therapeutic modalities.

Measures of Corticalization

“…It is worth noting that a simple measure derived from radiograph histogram analysis (i.e., mean optical density) has been used in dentomaxillofacial radiology for decades [9,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. It carries a great deal of clinically useful information but does not allow the automation feature of radiomics [25][26][27][28] because it requires an analog context for understanding the significance of local density changes.…”

“…It is worth noting that a simple measure derived from radiograph histogram analysis (i.e., mean optical density) has been used in dentomaxillofacial radiology for decades [9,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

“…Next, alignment and contrast brightness are needed. This is best achieved by aligning the histograms of the reference locations [20,23]. In the research presented in this study, this second range of alignment is essential.…”

Comparison of the osseointegration of implants placed in areas grafted with HA/TCP and native bone

“…The evaluation of osseointegration in clinical studies have been usually performed indirectly through radiographic (da Silva et al, 2020), or by resonance frequency analysis (Barbosa et al, 2021). The evaluation of grafted areas occurs after the obtaining biopsies that are evaluated by microscopy or tomographic analysis (Danesh‐Sani et al, 2016; Spin‐Neto et al, 2015), however the evaluation of these biopsies occurs at the time of implant placement and the evaluation of osseointegration has been poorly explored (Cordaro et al, 2008; Danesh‐Sani et al, 2016).…”