Influence of factors related to implant stability detected by wireless resonance frequency analysis device

Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was introduced as a method for measuring implant stability more than a decade ago. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values obtained using a recently introduced wireless RFA device have made it possible to evaluate stability in a non-invasive technique; however, there are few studies of the factors that affect ISQ values determined using this device. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between ISQ values determined by wireless RFA and various factors related to dental implant stability using a pig cortical bone model. Dental implants (Replace) Select Tapered implants) with a length of 10 mm were placed into pig cortical bone samples, then, ISQ values were determined using wireless RFA under various conditions (probe orientation, diameter of implant, insertion torque and peri-implant bone loss). The results of this study showed that ISQ values were not affected by the direction of the probe from parallel to perpendicular to the long axis of the pig bone or to the smart peg. In addition, the diameter of the implant did not have a significant effect on the measured ISQ values. Statistically significant correlations were found between insertion torque and ISQ values (Spearman's test, P < 0.05), and lower ISQ values were observed for deeper peri-implant vertical defects (Mann-Whitney U-test, P < 0.05). A wireless RFA device appears to be useful for measuring implant stability within the limits of the present in vitro study.