Optimizing implant stability: what is the relationship between surgical techniques and implant macro-design?
This summary of research is adapted from the article published in the journal of Clinical Implant Dentistry: Evaluation of Primary Stability of Self-Tapping and Non-Self-Tapping Dental Implants. A 12-Week Clinical Study.
Purpose
- The study aimed at investigating the relationship between surgical techniques and implant macro-design (self-tapping/non-self-tapping) for the optimization of implant stability in the low-density bone present in the posterior maxilla, using resonance frequency analysis (RFA).
- Materials and Methods
- A total of 102 implants were studied. Fifty-six self-tapping BlueSkyBredent® and 56 non-self-tapping Standard Plus Straumann® were placed in the posterior segment of the maxilla. Implants of both types were placed in sites prepared with either lateral bone-condensing or with bone-drilling techniques. Implant stability measurements were performed using RFA immediately after implant placement and weekly during a 12-week follow-up period.
Results
- Both types of implants placed after bone condensing achieved significantly higher stability immediately after surgery, as well as during the entire 12-week observation period compared with those placed following bone drilling.
- After bone condensation, there were no significant differences in primary stability or in implant stability after the first week between both implant types.
- From 2 to 12 postoperative weeks, significantly higher stability was shown by self-tapping implants. After bone drilling, self-tapping implants achieved significantly higher stability than non-self-tapping implants during the entire follow-up period.
Conclusion
- The study indicated that bone drilling is not an effective technique for improving implant stability and, following this technique, the use of self-tapping implants is highly recommended.
- Implant stability optimization in the soft bone can be achieved by lateral bone-condensing technique, regardless of implant macro-design.
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