Context: Hydrophilic dental implants were found to accelerate osseointegration thus reducing healing time in dental implants. Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the marginal bone loss, healing of soft tissue, and primary and secondary implant stability of hydrophobic and hydrophilic implants in subjects with a history of periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Consenting patients who needs replacement of two or more teeth in mandible with adequate bone volume to accommodate dental implants were randomized to receive dental implants. Dental implants with a standardized diameter were placed on both quadrants of the mandibular arch. In one of these quadrants, an implant with hydrophilic properties was used, while the other quadrant received a conventional implant. Implant stability was measured using resonance frequency analysis immediately after implant placement and after 2 week, 1 month, and 3 months of implant placement. Marginal bone level was analyzed using intraoral periapical radiograph (IOPA) with grid after 3 months of implant placement. Soft-tissue healing was measured using Landry Turnbull and Howley Healing Index. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent Student’s t -test was used to compare the mean bone density and primary and secondary stability values between two groups during different time intervals and Mann–Whitney test was used to compare the mean soft-tissue healing scores between two groups at different time intervals. Results: Implant stability of hydrophilic implant was found to be higher when compared to conventional implants after 3 months of implant placement and the difference is statistically significant at P = 0.007. Mean marginal bone loss was significantly lesser in hydrophilic implants ( P = 0.013). Conclusions: The implant stability of hydrophilic implants was found to be statistically significant in periodontitis patients, and this outcome can be attributed to the notably reduced marginal bone loss observed in hydrophilic implants when compared to conventional dental implants.
Varghese et al. (Thu,) studied this question.