Ultrasonography for noninvasive and real-time evaluation of peri-implant soft and hard tissue: a case series

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of soft and hard tissue at dental implants will be challenging in the future, as high prevalence of mucositis and peri-implantitis were described in the population. Ultrasonography is a promising non-invasive, inexpensive, painless, and radiation-free method for imaging hard and soft tissue at implants, especially an ultrasound device with a 25-MHz probe demonstrating a high correlation between ultrasound, clinical, and radiological measurements. CASE PRESENTATION: The following case series demonstrates the use of ultrasonography with high spatial resolution probe in patients with dental implants affected by soft tissue recession and/or crestal bone loss. CONCLUSION: These ultrasound images can provide valuable additional information for the assessment of peri-implant soft and hard tissue.