ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Few studies estimated the joint effect of implant design (length and diameter), peri-implant, and occlusal variables on early marginal bone loss. The monitoring of these factors during the first year after implant loading may be effective in preventing early implant failure. This prospective longitudinal study aimed to identify early-predictors of marginal bone loss around morse-tapered connection implants 12 months after implant loading. METHODS: Participants (n = 33) received 109 morse taper implants inserted subcrestally (diameter: 3.5 to 5 mm, length: 6 to 15 mm) loaded with single crowns. Implants were radiographically examined at the implant placement (baseline) and 12 months after prosthetic loading. Implant, peri-implant, and occlusal-related independent variables were analyzed by decision tree analysis. Mixed-effects multilevel analysis was used to estimate adjusted predictive values of marginal bone loss based on the early-predictors identified in decision tree analysis. RESULTS: Higher marginal bone loss was observed at mesial (mean of 0.87 mm; ranged from 0.5 to 1.19) than at distal sites (mean of 0.73 mm; ranged from 0.4 to 1.12 mm). The predictive model revealed of the largest marginal bone loss in association with cement-retained prostheses, a platform diameter of 3.5 mm, papilla sizes up to 2 mm, keratinized mucosa width inferior to 3 mm, implant lengths above 8.5 mm, inadequate occlusal relations, presence of bleeding on probing and deep peri-implant pocket. CONCLUSION: As implant dimensions, peri-implant and occlusal-related factors were associated with early marginal bone loss around morse taper implant, intervention in these factors might prevent early marginal bone loss.
