Comparison of Osteotome and Conventional Drilling Techniques for Primary Implant Stability: An In Vitro Study

It may be difficult to achieve primary stability in the posterior maxilla because of poor quality and quantity of bone. Studies have shown that the osteotome technique immediately increases bone density thereby increasing primary stability. An in vitro study was conducted to compare the stability achieved by the osteotome and conventional drilling techniques in low density bone. Forty endosseous implant fixtures (n = 40) were inserted in a solid rigid polyurethane block simulating low density (D3) bone. The implants were divided into 4 groups to test 2 variables: (1) implant length (10 mm or 13 mm) and (2) preparation of osteotomy (conventional drilling or osteotome technique). Insertion torque (IT) and resonance frequency analysis (RFA) were measured for each implant. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test was done to study IT and RFA data of the 4 groups. Pearson Correlation test was used to determine the correlation between IT and RFA values of the implants. The IT and RFA values were statistically significant higher using the osteotome technique as compared to conventional drilling (P < 0.0001). Statistically significant higher values were also found for IT and RFA of 13 mm implants as compared to 10 mm implants. A significant correlation was found between insertion torque and RFA values in all 4 groups (r = 0.86, P < 0.0001). The conclusion was that the osteotome technique significantly increased primary stability.