Bone loss at implants and teeth in the same segment of the dentition in partially dentate subjects

Abstract Background Some studies have indicated that marginal bone loss at implants and at teeth are similar, while results from other studies showed that implants lost more bone than teeth in the same dentition. Aim To determine the amount of progressive marginal bone loss that had occurred at implants and teeth in the same segment of the dentition following implant placement in partially dentate subjects. Material and Methods A total of 217 patients with a total of 573 implants and 318 teeth present in the same segments of the dentition were included. Radiographs were available from 1 year (baseline) and ≥3 years after loading. Results The mean bone loss that occurred between the two examinations was at implants 0.42 ± 0.68 mm and at teeth 0.44 ± 0.52 mm. Thirty‐eight subjects (18%) had ≥1 implant exhibiting >1 mm bone loss. Bone loss at the 148 implants in this category of patients was 1.30 ± 1.04 mm with a corresponding loss at the 69 teeth of 0.53 ± 0.62 mm. Eighteen subjects (8%) had ≥1 tooth that exhibited >1 mm bone loss. The mean amount of bone loss in this sample was 1.37 ± 0.87 mm (38 teeth) and 0.29 ± 0.31 mm (56 implants). Conclusions This study showed that marginal bone loss at implants and teeth in many partially dentate subjects might be independent phenomena.