Clinical study on the insertion torque and wireless resonance frequency analysis in the assessment of torque capacity and stability of self-tapping dental implants

Summary  Resonance frequency (RF) analysis is a non-invasive, objective and sensitive technique developed for implantology where it measures the stability of the implant in osteotomy site. Although many studies were performed by the previous electronic version of RF analyzer, a very limited number of studies were carried out with the new magnetic wireless version. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between insertion torques, primary and secondary stability of self-tapping tapered implant systems. Thirteen subjects were treated with 42 endosseous implants using two-stage surgical procedure. The maximal insertion torque values were recorded prior to RF analysis during surgery. Six months after surgery, the secondary stability values were measured by the RF analysis. The average maximal insertion torque and primary and secondary magnetic RF values were 33 ± 11 N cm and 66 ± 12 ISQ and 71·9 ± 6 ISQ for 42 implants respectively. The correlation between insertion torque and RF values were indicated to be statistically significant ( P  < 0·01). Significantly higher maximal insertion torque, and primary and secondary magnetic RF values were achieved in mandibular sites compared with maxillary areas ( P  < 0·01). No significant differences were measured for all parameters when both systems were compared with each other ( P  > 0·05). There was a strong correlation between the insertion torque, primary and secondary magnetic RF values of self-tapping tapered endosseous implant used. Further studies are needed to understand the impact of the wireless magnetic RF analysis technique in clinics.