Crestal Bone Loss
The resorption of marginal alveolar bone at the crest surrounding an implant, typically measured radiographically from the time of implant placement or loading.
Full Definition
Crestal bone loss is a key outcome measure in implant research, reflecting the degree to which the alveolar crest resorbs around the neck of a dental implant over time. A commonly cited threshold for biological implant failure is loss exceeding 1.5 mm in the first year following prosthetic loading and more than 0.2 mm per year thereafter, per Albrektsson criteria. Editors should verify that authors specify the measurement reference point (implant shoulder vs. bone-implant interface) and the imaging method used. The term is not hyphenated as a noun but is hyphenated when used as a compound modifier ('crestal-bone-loss measurement').
Usage
Usage note: Authors must state the radiographic measurement reference point. Do not use interchangeably with 'peri-implantitis,' which is a diagnosis, not a measurement.
In Context
- "Mean crestal bone loss at the two-year follow-up was 0.4 ± 0.2 mm, within acceptable limits." — Randomised controlled trial results section
- "The author must clarify whether crestal bone loss was measured from the implant shoulder or the first bone-to-implant contact." — Statistical methods review comment