Retrospective Evaluation of Factors Affecting Early Marginal Crestal Bone Loss in Dental Implants Before Prosthetic Loading

Aim: The occurrence of crestal bone loss during the healing period of a two-stage implant affects the prognosis of an implant. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with ECBL and identify predictors of early and late implant failures. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 884 implants placed in 271 patients treated between November 2021 and September 2024. Panoramic radiographs taken at the time of surgery and the 3-month follow-up were used to assess ECBL. Clinical and radiographic data, including demographic factors, implant characteristics, and systemic health status, were analyzed. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: The resorption rate was higher in implants placed in males (54.5%) than in females (45.5%). ECBL was found to be 43.1% in implants placed in smokers and 24.4% in non-smokers (p=0.0001). The mean length of the implants was 8.96 mm (±1.8 mm) in the group with resorption and 9.62 mm (±1.63 mm) in the group without resorption (p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Smoking, implant surface type, and implant length are key predictors of early crestal bone loss and implant failure. These factors should be considered during implant planning, particularly in high-risk patients.