Statement of problem: Initial implant stability has been used as an indicator for future osseointegration and whether an immediate/early loading protocol should be applied. However, differences in initial stability in relation to anatomical regions of jawbone have not been studied extensively because of the risks involved with stability measurements.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether initial implant stability varies with anatomical regions of the jawbone.
Material and methods: Four pairs of edentulous maxillae and mandibles were retrieved from fresh human cadavers. Six implants (Biomet 3i) per pair were placed in different anatomical regions (maxillary anterior, right and left maxillary posterior, mandibular anterior, right and left mandibular posterior). Immediately after implant placement, initial implant stability was measured with a custom-made resonance frequency analyzer, a commercial resonance frequency analysis device (Osstell), and a mechanical tapping device (Periotest). All implant surgeries and initial stability measurements were performed within 72 hours of death to simulate a clinical setting. Repeated measures ANOVA (alpha=.05) and univariate correlation analyses were used to analyze the data.
Results: Mandibular implants had significantly higher initial stability than maxillary implants. Posterior maxillary implants were least stable. Stability was less buccolingually than mesiodistally. The measurements from 3 stability measuring devices were strongly associated with each other.
Conclusions: Initial implant stability varied among anatomical regions of jawbone. Rank of Periotest value and implant stability quotient (Osstell) had the highest correlation (r=-0.852).