Can the Bone Density Estimated by CBCT Predict the Primary Stability of Dental Implants? A New Measurement Protocol

The use of dental implants to restore edentulous parts of the jaws is a common and well-documented treatment method. Effective dental implant treatment is known to be affected by both the quality and the quantity of bone required for implant placement, bone quality is a critical factor to consider when predicting stability of implants. Thus, stability of the initial implant and the possibility of early loading could be predicated using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and primary stability parameters before implant placement.

The aim of this study was to objectively assess bone density obtained by CBCT and the correlations with primary stability of dental implants using implant stability meter IST device.

A total of 40 implants were placed in 16 patients (9 males and 7 females with a range of 22 to 61 years (mean age 40.44 ± 12.3 years). The bone densities of implant recipient sites were preoperatively recorded using CBCT. The maximum insertion torque value of each implant was measured by engine during implant placement and compared to the primary stability for every implant using implant stability meter device (IST).

A statistically significant correlation was found between bone density value from CBCT with the primary implant stability and insertion torque.

Although the small samples size, the study shown bone density assessment using CBCT is an efficient method and significantly correlated with primary stability using implant stability meter device IST and insertion torque.