Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the loss of crestal bone height around dental implants placed in various tissue biotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 patients with single edentulous sites were allocated randomly, with 10 samples in each into Group I (implants were placed in thick tissue biotype) and Group II (implants were placed in thin tissue biotype). Baseline cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed after implant placement in both groups, and follow-up CBCT was taken at the time of cementation prior to occlusal loading to assess the crestal bone loss around the mesial and distal side of implants in both groups. RESULT: A significant loss of crestal bone at both the distal and mesial sides of the implants at the time of cementation was observed in both groups but Group II showed more crestal bone loss as compared to Group I. CONCLUSION: Mean crestal bone loss was more in Group II (thin tissue biotype) in comparison to Group I (thick tissue biotype). The thick biotype causes less crestal bone changes than the thin biotype, which evokes more loss of crestal bone during the period of peri-implant healing.