Comparative Evaluation of the Crestal Bone Level Around Pre- and Post-loaded Immediate Endoosseous Implants Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Clinico-Radiographic Study

Introduction Dental implants replace missing teeth. Dental implants are surgically placed tooth root replacements that secure prosthetic teeth and bridges. Branemark's original dental implant technique included a mesiobuccal flap and a two-stage approach, needing 6-8 months of recovery following extraction, sterile conditions, machined titanium implants, 3-6 months without stress for osseointegration, and a detachable temporary prosthesis. The restoration would usually be ready a year following the implant surgery. Implant treatment seeks the best function, aesthetics, and complication risk. Implant therapy with low patient morbidity and fast extraction-to-restoration times is a secondary target. Instantaneous implant insertion has made implant dentistry more convenient for patients and clinicians. This study measures bone height before, after, and one month after implant placement using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods Participants were selected from oral evaluation candidates. This investigation included 11 people missing front maxillary or mandibular teeth or root components. Diagnostic castings determined the interarch connection before surgery. Alginate maxillary and mandibular arch imprints were cast in Type III dental stone for diagnosis. CBCT scans were taken pre-operatively, post-implant, and post-prosthesis. After the tooth was removed, the empty socket was cleaned up with curettes. An intraoral periapical radiograph and manual probing were done to determine the implant's size. The implant was removed for examination after three months, and healing abutments and gingival formers were placed. Finally, fins were placed. The CBCT images also captured the bone height around the implants. The soft tissue parameters were recorded and evaluated at baseline and one-month following prosthetic loading as plaque index (PI). Radiographic evaluation was done at baseline and one-month following functional loading using CBCT. After one month following functional loading, crestal bone levels were measured again with the help of CBCT using Image J software (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, US). Results The sample population had an average age of 42.81 years, with a standard deviation of 13.44 years. Using a paired t-test, we found that the mean PI dropped significantly from pre-loading levels to one-month post -loading levels, with a p-value of less than 0.001. The mean crestal bone level (mesial) evaluated by CBCT at baseline and one-month post-loading was 2.52 +/- 1.97 mm and 1.17 +/- 1.31 mm, respectively. The mean difference between mean crestal bone loss (distal) at baseline and one-month post-loading was 0.94 +/- 1.89 mm, which was not statistically significant. The mean difference between mean crestal bone loss (buccal) at baseline and one-month post-loading was 1.82 +/- 1.60 mm, which was statistically significant. The mean difference between mean crestal bone loss (lingual) at baseline and one-month post-loading was 1.91 +/- 1.53 which was statistically significant. Conclusion CBCT provides all the diagnostic data needed for implant placement; hence, it is recommended.