This project examined the effect of splinting adjacent dental implants of different designs [Sintered porous surface (SPS), Threaded dual acid etched (THR-DAE), Threaded sand-blasted large grit acid etched (THR-SLA)] placed in posterior sites and compared two intraoral radiographic techniques to assess peri-implant crestal bone levels. 799 implants located in 345 patients qualified and were examined retrospectively using an inclusion criteria of a minimum one year in function and having a recent periapical (PA) and vertical bitewing radiograph (vBW). SPS had less bone loss than THR-DAA and THR-SLA. PA views showed approximately 0.10 mm (Range 0.07-0.40 mm) less crestal bone loss than vBW (P<0.01). Splinted implants had more crestal bone loss (0.30 mm; range 0.16-0.38 mm) than non-splinted implants. 49 implants failed with an overall failure rate of 4.9% with a significant difference in the failure rate of SPS and THR-DAA (P<0.0005) and in the time to fail (P<0.0036).

This project examined the effect of splinting adjacent dental implants of different designs [Sintered porous surface (SPS), Threaded dual acid etched (THR-DAE), Threaded sand-blasted large grit acid etched (THR-SLA)] placed in posterior sites and compared two intraoral radiographic techniques to assess peri-implant crestal bone levels. 799 implants located in 345 patients qualified and were examined retrospectively using an inclusion criteria of a minimum one year in function and having a recent periapical (PA) and vertical bitewing radiograph (vBW). SPS had less bone loss than THR-DAA and THR-SLA. PA views showed approximately 0.10 mm (Range 0.07-0.40 mm) less crestal bone loss than vBW (P<0.01). Splinted implants had more crestal bone loss (0.30 mm; range 0.16-0.38 mm) than non-splinted implants. 49 implants failed with an overall failure rate of 4.9% with a significant difference in the failure rate of SPS and THR-DAA (P<0.0005) and in the time to fail (P<0.0036).