Comparison of Marginal Bone Loss in Conventional Versus Osseodensification Impant Site Preparation

Objectives: Marginal bone loss is a multifactorial problem affecting the health and longevity of dental implants placed throughout the world. A novel drilling system has been developed that allows for the densification of bone around dental implants through a non-subtractive drilling protocol which allows for higher insertion torques. The aims of the present investigation are to evaluate if implants placed using an osseodensification implant site preparation have more marginal bone loss compared to implants placed with conventional site preparation.
Methods: Patients with implants that were placed with either conventional or osseodensification drilling protocols that had been restored for at least 1 year were radiographically and clinically re-evaluated. Radiographic marginal bone level measurements were measured on the mesial and distal of each implant and compared from the time of restoration to 12 months post-loading. Pocket probing depth (PD), presence/absence of plaque, presence/absence of bleeding on probing (BoP), and keratinized mucosa (KM) were recorded.
Results: Twenty-two patients with 39 implants were evaluated. The groups were not significantly different in the amount of marginal bone loss present at baseline (p > 0.05). The conventional drilling group had a mean marginal bone loss of 0.17 mm ± 0.65 between loading and follow-up, while the osseodensification group had a mean marginal bone loss of 0.096 mm ± 0.66 between loading and follow-up. The difference between the groups was not significantly different (p > 0.05).
Additionally, the differences in PD, BOP, plaque and KM between test and control groups was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Osseodensification drilling protocols do not lead to an increase in marginal bone loss, as well as probing depth, bleeding on probing, presence of plaque accumulation or keratinized mucosa width around dental implants that have been in function for at least 1 year.