Comparative evaluation of implant stability and crestal bone level between tapered and cylindrical implants in the posterior regions of the mandible: A prospective, randomized, split-mouth clinical trial.

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcome of tapered and cylindrical implants placed in the posterior region of mandible by measuring implant stability and crestal bone level at the healing period.

Materials and methods: A prospective clinical study was conducted on 15 patients who were included in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 30 dental implants were placed in both groups: 15 implants in Group I (tapered implants) and 15 implants in Group II (cylindrical implants) in the posterior region of mandible. Implant stability assessment by periotest was done at the time of implant placement (baseline) and after 3 months. The crestal bone level was measured with the help of radiovisiography (RVG) at the time of implant placement (baseline) and at 3 and 6 months.

Results: At baseline, there was statistically significant (P < 0.01) difference in primary implant stability. Tapered implants had higher primary implant stability than cylindrical implants. However, at 3 months, there was no statistically significant (P > 0.05) difference in the secondary implant stability of both the groups. Also, the crestal bone level on the mesial and distal sides of dental implant for tapered and cylindrical implants was statistically nonsignificant (P > 0.05) at all time intervals, that is, at baseline and at 3 and 6 months.

Conclusion: Tapered implants had higher primary stability than cylindrical implants, and no difference was found in secondary stability. The crestal bone level was similar for both groups during early healing and early post-loading periods.