Can resonance frequency analysis (RFA) detect narrow marginal bone defects around dental implants? An ex-vivo animal pilot study

Abstract

Background

Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) is widely applied to assess implant stability, as expressed by Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ). However, the relation between ISQ value and the presence and extent of narrow marginal bone defects around implants has not been documented.

Purpose

To investigate the potential of RFA devices to identify the presence and extent of marginal bone defects around implants, as expressed by the ISQ values.

Materials and methods

28 Straumann bone level implants (BL) and 28 bone level tapered implants (BLT), were placed ex-vivo in porcine ribs. The implants were divided into four groups. Implants in group A were fully submerged in the bone with no marginal bone defect. In the other groups implants were placed with a 0.9mm circumferential marginal bone defect extending 2mm (B), 4mm (C) and 6mm (D) apically. Two devices (Osstell Gothenburg, Sweden and Penguin Integration Diagnostics AB, Gotheburg, Sweden) were used to measure each implant stability, taking three measurements from buccal and mesial direction. The ISQ values were recorded and analysed.

Results

ISQ values generated by two devices decreased as the defects depth increased, with the greatest reduction observed between full bone (A) and 2 mm defect (B) (p<0.001). No significant differences were found in the ISQ values recorded from BL implants and BLT implants in this model.

Conclusion

ISQ values can effectively detect narrow, intrabony marginal bone defects, in particular when involving the first coronal 2mm. This finding could have significant implications for the early diagnosis of conditions affecting the marginal bone, such as peri-implantitis. Further research in clinical conditions is required to investigate if such findings can be replicated after osseointegration is achieved.

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