Implant diameter and bone density: effect on initial stability and pull-out resistance

It is well known that the standard diameter dental implant so often utilized is often inadequate in patients with poor bone quality or quantity, and larger diameter implants have been utilized to overcome this deficiency. The objective of this study was to compare the pull-out resistance of small and large diameter (3.25- and 4.5-mm) dental implants and the relationship of these implants to bone density. Two groups of implants, consisting of 18 implants of each diameter, were placed in the mandibles of five embalmed humans. The bone mineral density of the area surrounding the implant site in the coronal cross section was measured by quantitative computed tomography (QCT). Initial implant stability was tested with a periodontium diagnostic device and pull-out resistance was tested with a mechanical testing system. Results showed the same initial stability for the two implants. The maximum pull-out force required for the large diameter implants was 15% greater than that required for the small diameter implants, although given the small number of samples, this difference was not statistically significant. There were significant positive correlations between the pull-out resistance and the bone density for both the large and small diameter implants (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). We conclude that larger diameter implants appear to have advantages over smaller ones; however, more extensive testing is needed to determine quantitatively the increased load-carrying capacity.