Evaluation of osseointegrated implants subjected to orthodontic force: radiographic examination and resonance frequency analysis

This study aimed to evaluate changes in bone height at osseointegrated implants subjected to orthodontic forces using radiographic examination and resonance frequency analysis. A total of 11 implants placed in 8 patients were studied. The patients were men or women between 30 and 50 years of age who were undergoing orthodontic treatment and whose treatment planning required skeletal anchorage. All implants were placed in the posterior mandibular region. When osseointegration of the implants was complete (4 months after placement), radiography and initial resonance frequency analysis were performed at the orthodontic loading appointment (T1). New examinations were performed 6 months after orthodontic loading (T2). The examinations showed a gain in bone height and an increase in implant stability quotient at T2. The greater gain observed at the mesial surface of the implant, which was the site of greater compression for most implants, was due to the applied mechanics. These results suggest that the use of osseointegrated implants for orthodontic anchorage does not interfere with their osseointegration, and the use of light, constant orthodontic forces can stimulate bone formation in stress areas and improve implant stability.