Relationship between cortical bone thickness or computerized tomography-derived bone density values and implant stability

Abstract

Aims: To explore the relationship between primary implant stability and different parameters related to implant or bone properties.

Materials and methods: Twenty-four patients received a total of 136 Straumann SLActive implants. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was performed at implant placement, and RFA and Periotest (PTV) were scored at loading. Bone density [Hounsfield (HU) scores] and coronal cortical thickness at osteotomy sites were measured from pre-operative computerized tomography scans.

Results: Implant length, diameter or the presence of bony dehiscence did not have a significant effect on the mean RFA scores at implant insertion. Significant linear relations were found between RFA or PTV scores and HU values (P<0.05), or cortical bone thickness (P<0.05), both at insertion as well as at loading.

Conclusion: RFA and PTV scores can be predicted based on implant and especially bone related factors.