Clinical and Radiological Evaluation of Immediate and Delayed Single Tooth Implant Placement: 18 Months, Prospective, Randomized Follow-Up Study

The study was designed and conducted in the Department of Periodontics, JKK Nattraja Dental College and Hospital, Komarapalayam, Tamilnadu. This 18 months study was done to evaluate the clinical and radiological parameters of 7 immediate and 7 delayed single tooth implants in respect to the method of placement. All the patients were followed up for 9 and 18 months corresponding to a functional loading time of 4 months and 12 months respectively. All the implants were remained in function during one year after the crown restoration. The Plaque index, soft tissue index, probing depth, width of keratinized mucosa, thickness of peri-implant mucosa, papilla index and peri-implant bone loss were recorded at baseline, 9th and 18 months intervals. The peri-implant bone loss was assessed by using RVG by sopro imaging software. The data were subjected to statistical analysis. From the results obtained, the following conclusions were arrived: 1. Single tooth implant revealed higher success rates in both groups with positive tissue response. 2. The minimum 1mm thickness of peri-implant mucosa is needed for maintaining the implants without recession. 3. Peri-implant inflammation was less for implants surrounded by more than 2mm of keratinized mucosa in both groups. 4. Improved papilla fill was observed in both groups. 5. Average peri-implant bone loss in both groups was less than 1.5 mm after the 12 year period of function. The results obtained here clearly demonstrated that self-threaded internal hex, titanium implants placed according to a delayed or immediate technique can be used successfully over a period of 12 months. High successful rates were achieved without severe peri-implant complications. However, it is necessary to have a large sample size with proper selection of the patients are needed to evaluate the clinical and radiological parameters. Also further studies need to be carried out to evaluate the relationship between peri-implant soft and hard tissue in respect to the placement of implants