ABSTRACT
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Peri-implant marginal bone loss is an important factor that affects the success of implants in esthetics and function. Various efforts have been made to reduce this bone loss by improving implant design and surface texture. Previous studies have shown that early marginal bone loss is affected by implant neck designs. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of laser microtexturing of implant collar on peri-implant marginal bone loss. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiographical marginal bone loss was examined in patients treated with implant-supported fixed partial dentures. Marginal bone level was examined with 101 implant fixtures installed in 53 patients at three periods(at the time of implantation, prosthetic treatment and 6-month after loading). Four types of implants were examined. The differences of bone loss between implants(ITI standard) with enough biologic width and implants(ITI esthetic plus, Silhouette IC, Silhouette IC Laser-Lok(TM)) with insufficient biologic width have been compared. Resorption angles were examined at the time of prosthetic delivery and 6-month after loading. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of this study, the following results were drawn. 1. The marginal bone loss of ITI standard and Silhouette IC Laser-Lok(TM) was less than that of ITI esthetic plus and Silhouette IC(P0.05). There was no significant statistical difference between marginal bone loss of ITI esthetic plus and Silhouette IC(P>0.05). 2. There was no significant difference in marginal bone loss between maxilla and mandible(P>0.05). 3. There was no significant difference in resorption angle among four types of implants(P>0.05). The marginal bone of implants with supracrestal collar design of less than that of biologic width had resorbed more than those with sufficient collar length. The roughness and laser microtexturing of implant neck seem to affect these results. If an implant with collar length of biologic width, exposure of fixture is a possible complication especially in the anterior regions of dentition that demand high esthetics. Short smooth neck implant are often recommended in these areas which may lack the distance between microgap and the marginal bone level. In these cases, the preservation of marginal bone must be put into consideration. From the result of this study, it may be concluded that laser microtexturing of implant neck is helpful in the preservation of marginal bone.