[Concepts, evaluation methods, diagnostic and prognostic values of implant stability]

The outcome of oral implant treatment is in part focused on the obtained implant stability as outlined in the success criteria as propose by Albrektsson T. & Albrektsson B. (1987) and by Buser et al. (1997). In those criteria, clinical diagnostic testing of implant stability is a rather crude and subjective procedure. Quantitative measurement technology, such as the Periotest and the Osstell Mentor devices do provide more refined and objective tools to diagnose and monitor the state of osseointegration. On the other hand, their power to predict treatment outcome is rather low.