Association between bone density and bone loss of dental implants

Background & Aim: Bone loss of dental implant areas has been a concern for implantologists. This
can be an etiologic factor for implant surgeries failure. As some studies suggested a relation between
bone density and bone loss, the present study aimed at evaluation of the association between bone
density and bone loss of dental implant surrounding areas.
Materials and Methods: Forty dental implants were used in this analytical study. The implants
belonged to 4 males and 11 females with mean age of 57 years and implantation time of 2–7 years.
The patients had no systemic disease or other conditions affecting the study results. All patients
enjoyed good oral hygiene. The patients’ bone density was tested by means of DEXA dual – energy
technique. Periapical radiographic images of implants were compared with the last images of the
patients by means of two reference points on mesial and distal regions. The data were subjected to
spearman's ratio, student t-test, Kruskal – Wallis, ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests.
Results: Twenty two (55%) implants were of the patients with normal bone density, 12 (30%) with
osteopenia, and 16 (15%) with osteoporosis. Twenty two (55%) implants showed bone loss and 18
(45%) demonstrated no bone loss. No significant differences were found in terms of bone density
and bone loss in both genders (P>0.1, P>0.07). The mean bone loss was -0.06 mm in males and -1.53
mm in females with significant difference (P<0.04). The mean bone loss in patients with normal
bone density was -0.286, –0.8 and –3.88 mm in osteopenia and osteoporosis infected patients,
respectively. The difference between groups was statistically significant (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Within the limitations of the present study, bone loss in the surrounding areas of dental
implants occurs more frequently in the areas with lower bone density.
Key words: Dental Implants, Bone density, Bone loss, Osteoporosis, Osteopenia