Radiographic Impact of Adjunctive Chlorhexidine on Early Peri-Implant Bone Remodeling

A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Authors

  • Muntathar Muhsen Abusanna University of Al-Ameed/ College of Dentistry/ Karbala, Iraq.
  • Omar Abdul Jabbar Abdul Qader

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/d3000.2026.1362

Keywords:

Dental Implants, Oral Biofilm, Antimicrobials, Bone Loss, Periodontium

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine how chlorhexidine treatment as an additional therapy affects the first radiographic results which include marginal bone level (MBL) changes and grayscale radiographic density proxy values. The research design consisted of a prospective randomized controlled clinical study which studied 48 patients through one dental implant per participant. The investigators used random assignment to place participants into either the chlorhexidine adjunct protocol group or the standard postoperative care group. The examining team took standardized periapical radiographs at both the beginning and six months after the start of the study through a paralleling technique with established exposure settings. The MBL measurement occurred through software calibration which enabled the system to measure the distance both from the mesial and distal sides while using a specific area for grayscale density proxy analysis. The research used paired and independent tests to analyze both within-group and between-group data through repeated-measures analysis which studied time–group interactions at a significance level of p < 0.05. The two groups experienced time-dependent changes in their crestal bone structure, yet the chlorhexidine group achieved better results through its lower mean MBL change and higher grayscale density proxy values than the control group (p < 0.05). Implant survival was high in both groups, with no statistically significant difference. The measurement reliability proved satisfactory through the results of calibration testing. The using chlorhexidine as an additional treatment resulted in better initial radiographic signs of peri-implant health. The present data shows a possible biological link between treatment responses and patient results, but additional present study needs to confirm these findings by tracking patients for extended periods and measuring biological indicators.

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Published

2026-06-04

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Development of Craniofacial Structures

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Muntathar Muhsen Abusanna, Omar Abdul Jabbar Abdul Qader

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