Peri-Implant Bone Resorption Around Implants Placed in Alveolar Bone Subjected to Distraction Osteogenesis

Purpose This study was conducted to evaluate bone resorption around implants placed in alveolar bone previously subjected to distraction osteogenesis (DO). Patients and Methods The study included 9 patients who had undergone alveolar DO with subsequent placement of 37 implants. None of the implants was lost. Vertical peri-implant bone deficit was measured on the distal and mesial surfaces from panoramic radiographs obtained at implant loading and again 1 year later. Resorption over the year of loading was calculated as the increase in vertical bone deficit. Results Mean peri-implant bone resorption over the first year after loading was 0.60 mm mesially and 0.68 mm distally. In both cases, the resorption (ie, the difference between the mean bone deficit at loading and 1 year later) was statistically significant ( P < .05). Conclusion Vertical bone resorption around implants placed in distracted alveolar bone is similar to that seen around implants placed in nondistracted bone.