Accuracy of periapical radiography in assessing bone level in implants affected by peri-implantitis: a cross-sectional study

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of periapical radiography in measuring peri-implant bone levels. Materials and MethodsTwenty-five subjects with 46 implants in need of surgical treatment for peri-implantitis were included in this cross-sectional study. Prior to surgery, periapical radiographs were taken, a prediction of type of defect was made and radiographic peri-implant bone levels (RxBL) were determined at the mesial and distal aspects. Intra-operatively, the peri-implant bone level (SurgBL) was assessed mesially, distally, buccally and orally and the type of defect was recorded. A paired t-test was applied to detect differences between inter-proximal RxBL and SurgBL. ANOVA was used to compare SurgBL at different circumferential positions. ResultsThe mean inter-proximal RxBL was 4.02.2mm and the mean inter-proximal SurgBL was 5.3 +/- 2.3mm. The difference between RxBL and SurgBL was statistically significant (p=0.014). There were no significant differences in SurgBL at the mesial, distal, buccal and oral aspects (p>0.05). ConclusionsThe intra-operatively measured peri-implant bone levels were more apical than the radiographic bone levels. The intra-operatively assessed peri-implant bone levels (SurgBL) were similar at all the circumferential positions around the implant.