A newly designed resonance frequency analysis device for dental implant stability detection

Abstract

Resonance frequency (RF) analysis technology was used to design a new dental implant stability detector. To calibrate and test the performance of this novel apparatus, in vitro and in vivo models, respectively, were used. The RF values of the test implants detected using our new device and a commercially available analogous device (Osstell) were compared. Further, implant stability status was also detected clinically using our device at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. A high correlation was demonstrated between the values measured with the two devices (y = 0.31x - 12.45; R2 = 0.98, p<0.05). In our clinical tests, an initial RF value above 10.0 kHz indicated that the implant was ready to accept functional loading, while values in the 4.0 - 10.0 kHz range reflected the need for further osseointegration. In conclusion, these results indicated that our new device might be useful in a clinical setting for evaluating the healing status of a placed implant.