Clinical study on the primary stability of two dental implant systems with resonance frequency analysis

Primary stability has a major impact on the long-term success of dental implants. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and insertion torque of self-tapping and non-self-tapping implants and their respective differences in primary stability. A group of 263 patients were treated with a total of 602 conically formed dental implants: 408 non-self-tapping Ankylos and 194 self-tapping Camlog. The maximum insertion torque during implant placement was recorded. Resonance frequency, measured as the implant stability quotient (ISQ), was assessed once immediately after insertion and twice 3 months later. Torque values of the non-self-tapping implants were significantly higher than those in the self-tapping group (p = 0.023). RFA did not show differences between the 2 groups (p = 0.956), but a correlation between ISQ values after implantation and 3 months after implant placement was measured (r = 0.712). Within the implant systems, no correlation between insertion torque and resonance frequency values could be determined (r = 0.305). Our study indicates that the ISQ values obtained from different implant systems are not comparable. The RFA does not appear suitable for the evaluation of implant stability when used as a single method. Higher insertion torque of the non-self-tapping implants appeared to confirm higher clinical primary stability.