Implant stability during osseointegration in irradiated and non-irradiated minipig alveolar bone: an experimental study

Objectives: Primary implant stability is related to local bone density. After insertion of an implant, implant stability is subject to changes due to bone remodeling. In patients who have undergone radiotherapy in the head and neck region, implant stability is impaired because irradiation reduces bone vitality. The current study was designed to monitor and test implant stability immediately after implant placement and during osseointegration in irradiated and non‐irradiated minipig alveolar bone. Materials and methods: All maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars of six adult Göttingen minipigs were extracted. The maxilla and mandible of three minipigs received three irradiation exposures at a total dose of 24 Gy. After irradiation, five initial implant holes were drilled in the residual alveolar ridge of each edentulous site. In order to assess bone vascularity, laser Doppler flowmetry recordings were carried out in the initial holes. A total of 120 implants were placed in the six minipigs. Subsequently, and at 8, 16, and 24 weeks after implant placement, implant stability was recorded by resonance frequency analysis (RFA). RFA values were expressed as an implant stability quotient (ISQ). Results: ISQ values recorded immediately after implant placement showed no differences between irradiated and non‐irradiated minipigs. Repeated measurements at the four recording moments showed a decrease of ISQ values in all minipigs, being more pronounced in irradiated bone, when compared with non‐irradiated bone. The results at the third and fourth recording moments showed a stabilization or even a slight increase of ISQ values. Conclusions: The results document the negative effect of irradiation on bone vascularity and hence on implant stability.