Background: Peri-implant bone level preservation is the key to maintaining peri-implant soft tissue and stability. Many studies have discussed the role of placing dental implants at various depths on crestal bone loss, but they were debatable.
Objectives: To compare clinically and radiographically the effect of placing implants at crestal versus subcrestal levels on the crestal bone loss and stability evaluation in controlled type 2 diabetic patients.
Materials and Methods: 22 controlled diabetic patients were randomized according to placement depth (group I: 11 implants were placed equicrestally) (group Ⅱ: 11 implants were placed 1mm subcrestally). Stability of implants, clinical and radiographical assessment were done for both groups.
Results: 19 implants were included in our study (10 crestal and 9 subcrestal). There were no statistically significant differences in bleeding index and probing depth between the 2 groups while plaque index was greater among subcrestal group. Crestal bone loss mesiodistally was significantly higher in crestal group, while there was no significant difference buccolingually between crestal and subcrestal groups. Stability values were significantly greater in subcrestal group at loading time.
Conclusion: Sub-crestal implant placement is preferable for controlled type 2 diabetic patients as it decreases the probability of implant thread exposure provided that careful oral hygiene care is followed and regular periodic checks to maintain peri-implant soft tissue and dental bone health.
Keywords: Crestal, Subcrestal, Stability, Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Running Title: CRESTAL BONE LOSS AND STABILITY EVALUATION IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS.