Resonance frequency analysis for osseointegration in four surgical conditions of dental implants

The establishment of osseointegration following dental implant placement is a major contributing factor to the clinical success and long-term function of implant-retained prosthesis. Radiographic examination and palpation have been two of the methods often used in clinical assessment for implant stability over the years. However, theses radiographs are two-dimensional and difficult to standardize. The investigation was designed to study the use of resonance frequency analysis in search of the stability of the implant-tissue interface in vitro. Resonance frequency was measured when test implants were embedded in bakelites. The change in stiffness observed during bone healing was modeled by embedding implants in gypsum during the setting period. Our results showed that there was an increase in resonance frequency related to a stiffness increment during osseointegration.