Reliability verification of damping capacity assessment in peri-implant bone loss model: An experimental animal study

Abstract

Objectives: This in vivo animal study aimed to determine the diagnostic reliability of a damping capacity assessment by correlating the stability of dental implant with peri-implant bone loss using beagle dogs. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two bone level implants composed of two different types were immediately placed at four beagle dogs without bone grafting. All implants were submerged, connected to a healing abutment, and loaded by superstructure. Each phase lasted 4 weeks for a total of 12 weeks. Implant stability was measured every phase through a damping capacity assessment. Peri-implant bone loss, supporting bone volume, and bone to implant contact were also evaluated. Results: Two platform switched implants failed at 8 and 12 weeks after placement, respectively. For the surviving 30 implants, peri-implant bone loss was observed to vary from 0.25 mm to 6.96 mm. Implant stability indices were found to have a strong negative correlation with peri-implant bone loss. It also had positive correlations with supporting bone volume and bone to implant contact ratio. Conclusions: Damping capacity assessment appears to be effective as a diagnostic tool for various types of peri-implant bone resorption in this study. However, the diagnostic ability of early bone resorption of implants is controversial.