Stability measurements of one-stage Brånemark implants during healing in mandibles. A clinical resonance frequency analysis study

• Published in: International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 28; no. 4; pp. 266 - 272
• Main Authors: FRIBERG, B, SENNERBY, L, LINDEN, B, GRÖNDAHL, K, LEKHOLM, U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier 01-08-1999
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Density; Dental Implantation; Dental Implantation, Endosseous - statistics & numerical data; Dental Prosthesis Design; Dental Prosthesis Design - statistics & numerical data; Dental Prosthesis Retention; Dental Prosthesis Retention - statistics & numerical data; Dentistry; Edentulous; Endosseous; Female; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Jaw; Jaw, Edentulous - diagnostic imaging; Jaw, Edentulous - surgery; Male; Mandible; Mandible - diagnostic imaging; Mandible - surgery; Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Odontologi; Radiography; statistics & numerical data; surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Time Factors; Wound Healing; Human; Edentulousness; Mandible; Osteointegration; Implant; Stomatology; Prosthesis; Treatment efficiency; Dental disease; Exploration; Treatment; Analysis; Surgery; Resonance frequency; ENT disease; Adult; Tooth; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0901-5027; 1399-0020
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1399-0020.1999.284280405.x

Using a one-stage surgical protocol, 75 implants ad modum Brånemark of three different designs were inserted in 15 edentulous mandibles of high bone density. All implants were followed with repeated stability measurements by means of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) from implant placement to connection of the fixed prostheses (3-4 months), in order to evaluate possible stability changes during healing. It was shown that the resonance frequency (RF) values slightly decreased for the majority of the implants during the study period independent of design. Consequently, the results of the present study indicated that the implants were as stable at time of placement as when measured at 3-4 months post-surgery, i.e. when the prostheses were attached. The available data support the concept of direct loading of implants when inserted between the mental interforaminal regions. One implant failed during healing and the corresponding RF measurement disclosed, at six weeks post-surgery, a value being far below the one registered at implant placement. The lowered RF value indicated the failure several weeks before the mobility was clinically diagnosed. The presence or absence of a fixture/abutment junction did not exert any influence on the marginal bone level, as determined radiographically at the end of the short investigation period.