J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2007 Apr;45(2):263-273.

Alveolar bone changes around the natural teeth opposing the posterior implants in mandible

• Jung WM
• Kim DG
• Yi YJ
• Park CJ
• Cho LR

Abstract

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Alteration of tooth function is assumed to be changed by stress/strain on the adjacent alveolar bone, producing changes in morphology similar to those described for other load-bearing bones. When teeth are removed, opposing teeth will not be functioned. When edentulous area is restored by implant prostheses, opposing teeth will be received physiologic mechanical stimuli. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone changes around the teeth opposing implant restoration installed mandibular posterior area. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eight patients who had mandibular posterior edentulous area were treated with implants. Radiographs of the opposing teeth were taken at implant prostheses delivery(baseline), 3 months, and 6 months later. Customized film holding device was fabricated to standardize the projection geometry for serial radiographs of opposing teeth. Direct digital image was obtained. Gray values of region of interest at each digital image were measured and compared according to time lapse. Repeated measured analysis of variance and post-hoc Scheffe's test were performed at the 95% significance level.
RESULTS
Alveolar bone changes around the natural teeth opposing the posterior implant in mandible showed statistically significant difference compared to control group(P<0.05). And gray values of alveolar bone around the teeth opposing implants were increased. There were no statistically significant differences of alveolar bone changes between crestal group and middle group and between mesial group and distal group according to time lapse(P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences of alveolar bone changes among mesial-crestal group, mesial-middle group, distal-crestal group, distal-middle group, and control group(P>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Alveolar bone around the natural teeth opposing the implant prosthesis showed gradual bony apposition.

Keyword

Bone change; Mechanical Stimuli; Gray value; Implant

MeSH Terms

Humans
Mandible*
Prostheses and Implants
Tooth*
Weight-Bearing