Diagnostic accuracy of the implant stability quotient in monitoring progressive peri-implant bone loss: An experimental study in dogs

OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of progressive bone loss in an experimental peri-implantitis model in the dog upon the implant stability quotient (ISQ) measured in the course of induced and spontaneous conditions of disease, and to evaluate the association between the clinical parameters and ISQ. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-two implants were placed in 12 Beagle dogs. Of these, 36 implants in six dogs were assessed during ligature-induced peri-implantitis (three timepoints) and at one timepoint following a period of spontaneous progression. The ISQ was recorded using resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Furthermore, the clinical peri-implant parameters were registered at four sites per implant at each timepoint. Marginal bone loss (MBL) was determined using computed tomography at four sites per implant and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) was assessed from histological samples. A linear regression model was estimated by generalized estimation equations (GEEs) in order to study the MBL-ISQ values at each measurement timepoint. Pearson's correlation test was applied. RESULTS None of the implants failed during the study period. At implant level, a strong negative correlation was found for all timepoints between ISQ and MBL (r = -0.58; p