Influence of the Buccal Bone Crest Width on Peri-Implant Hard and Soft Tissues Dimensions: A Histomorphometric Study in Humans

Objective: To histologically evaluate hard and soft tissues adap- tation at screw-shaped devices installed at recipient sites in the distal segments of the alveolar edentulous ridge prepared with a buccal bonewidthof1or2mm. Material and Methods: Sixteen volunteers received 2 nonsubmerged titanium implants each; after 3 months, biopsies were obtained and processed for histology. The distances between implant shoulder (IS), top of the bony crest (C), coronal level of osseointegration (B), peri- implant mucosa (PM), and apical extension of the junctional epithe- lium (aJE) were measured. Results: There were no signifi- cant statistically differences between est and control sites regarding IS-C, IS-B, PM-IS, PM-B, PM-aJE, aJE-B measurements. The horizontal bone resorption 1 mm below IS was 0.3 6 0.3and1.060.7mmatthetestand control sites, respectively. This dif- ference was statistically significant. Conclusions: Similar hard and soft tissues dimensions were observed in both groups. However, a higher horizontal bone resorption was seen at the control sites. Nonsubmerged implant installation should be per- formed when a 1 mm buccal bony crest width is present so as to limit the horizontal bone resorption.