Comparative evaluation of crestal bone levels following placement of implant in delayed implant bed: An in vivo clinical study

BACKGROUND: Restoring lost dentition using dental implant is one of the most promising treatment modality, for both complete and partially dentulous situation. In order to have more predictable outcome, the quest for coming up with a surgical protocol has been never ending. Keeping the same in mind the present study was conducted to place implant in delayed implants beds, i.e., 14 days after the osteotomy site was prepared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the purpose of the study, ten implants measuring 4.2 mm × 10 mm were placed in ten healthy individuals with missing mandibular first molars in site prepared 14 days before actual placement of implants, i.e., delayed implant beds. RESULTS: The study revealed that, on evaluation of the bone levels at the time of placement of prosthetic loading revealed, a bone gain was maximum after 3 months of prosthetic loading. CONCLUSION: A significant bone gain with a mean of 0.8 mm makes this technique of placing implants in delayed implant beds a more predictable technique than conventional protocol.