Evaluation of the implant stability and the marginal bone level changes during the first three months of dental implant healing process: A prospective clinical study

Achievement of adequate implant stability is one of the determinants for long-term successful osseointegration. Resonance frequency analysis was developed to monitor implant stability and is now a well-recognized, non-invasive tool for determining the appropriate time for functional loading. However, there have been few studies with continuous evaluation and comparison of implant stability and marginal bone level changes between two different macro designs and clinical situations during the implant healing process. Thus, the purpose of this clinical trial is to evaluate the implant stability and marginal bone level changes of straight and conical implants during the implant healing process. In this prospective clinical trial, 25 participants were randomized to either straight or conical implants. A total of 32 titanium dental implants with a length of 9 mm or 11 mm were installed in the maxilla and the mandible according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A resonance frequency analyzer was used to measure the implant stability quotient (ISQ) at the time of implant placement and after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, and 12 weeks of healing. The changes in the peri-implant marginal bone level were evaluated from digital radiographic films taken at the time of implant placement and after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks of healing. The preliminary results of this study revealed higher ISQ values and better healing tendency for conical implants in comparison with straight implants in the maxilla. Similar ISQ values and healing tendency were observed for straight and conical implants in the mandible. No significant differences in marginal bone loss were found between the straight and conical implants. However, in the mandible, slightly more marginal bone loss was found with the conical implants than straight implants after 12 weeks of healing. In conclusion, ISQ healing tendency and marginal bone loss are influenced by implant macro-design and jaw regions. Straight implants revealed similar ISQ healing tendency and marginal bone loss in both the mandible and maxilla. Conical implants were confirmed more beneficial for maintenance of implant stability and marginal bone level in the maxilla.