| Background: Primary implant stability contributes to the success of dental implant placement and affects long-term function. Factors that contribute to the primary stability and osseointegration of a dental implant include the quality and quantity of bone present at the site of placement as well as the shape and surface treatment of the implants. There are numerous methods that assist the clinician in determining implant stability during placement and to confirm osseointegration after a period of healing. Their reliability to predict implant success, however, has not been proven. Torque measurements acquired during implant placement have been used as a method for assuming implant stability, as they provide valuable information about the local bone quality at the site of placement. The operator's tactile assessment of implant stability during placement is often used as the main indicator of primary implant stability, but limited data is available to validate the accuracy of this assessment.;Methods: 100 implants placed in the periodontology clinic were analyzed for implant torque during placement. Assessment of the implant stability was first estimated by the clinician in Ncm and in bone density using the Leckholm and Zarb definition and was compared to the implant stability measured using a calibrated torque-measuring device. Other variables, such as years of surgical clinical training, implant system, and location of implant placement were also recorded.;Results: There was no significant difference (P = 0.3348) between the estimated implant insertion torque when compared to the calibrated torque values. A significant difference in the ability to measure insertion torque was noted when implants were being placed in socket-converted sites (P = 0.0076), in the mandible (P = 0.0270), and when placing regular platform (P = 0.0433) or wide platform (P = 0.0156) implants.;Conclusion: The trained clinician has the ability to accurately measure insertion torque of a dental implant during placement. Within study limitations, it may be concluded that the ability of a clinician to perform this task was effected by placement of a dental implant into a previously socket converted site, the placement of a dental implant into the mandible, and when using wider diameter implants. |
