Digital subtraction radiography for the assessment of changes in peri-implant bone density.

Digital subtraction radiography is proposed as a potential diagnostic tool for implant research and patient monitoring. Examples of the application of this technique are given observing peri-implant density changes during the early healing phase and during ligature-induced peri-implantitis in an animal model. Additional cases document the loss of peri-implant bone density associated with an infection and increase in density caused by remodeling after functional loading of an implant with a single crown. Digital subtraction radiography might be one of the most sensitive noninvasive methods for assessing subtle density changes in peri-implant tissues, providing additional diagnostic information on implant tissue integration and maintenance.