Resonance frequency analysis measurements of implants at placement surgery

The knowledge of what levels of primary stability can be obtained in different jawbone regions and of what factors influence primary stability is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate primary stability by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) measurements of implants placed according to a surgical protocol that aimed for high primary stability. The aim was also to correlate RFA measurements with factors related to the surgical technique, the patient, and implant design.

A total of 905 Brånemark dental implants used in 267 consecutive patients were measured with RFA at the time of placement surgery.

A mean ISQ value of 67.4 (SD 8.6) was obtained for all implants. Univariate analyses with the implant or patient as unit showed higher ISQ values in men compared with women, in mandibles compared with maxillae, in posterior compared with anterior sites, and for wide-platform implants in comparison with regular/narrow-platform implants. There was a correlation between bone quality and primary stability, with lower ISQ values obtained for implants placed in softer bone. A lower stability was seen with increased implant length. A stepwise multiple regression analysis using the patient as unit showed that jaw type and gender had independent effects on primary stability.

The results suggest that factors related to bone density and implant diameter/length may affect the level of primary implant stability. Furthermore, greater stability was observed in male than in female patients. High primary implant stability was achieved in all jaw regions, although the use of thinner drills and/or tapered implants cannot fully compensate for the effect of soft bone. The research design does not permit conclusions regarding long-term treatment outcome with implants.