Osstell®: Resonance Frequency

Category: Implantology

Autors: Duarte F., Ramos C.

Reference: Rev Port Estomat Med Dent Cirurg Maxilofac 2005; 46(3):157-163
ISSN: 1646-2890

Abstract: The clinical measurement of implant stability and osseointegration is important to be able to assess success, and yet it is largely empirical and subjective in nature. Initial stability of an implant fixture at the time of placement is often assessed by judging the presence of any mobility and bone quality is ranked on a scale (0-4) according to the degree of bone density and drilling resistance experienced by the surgeon.
Following healing and bone formation at the implant-tissue interface, the degree of stability or osseointegration is often assessed by percussing an implant with a blunt instrument such as a mirror handle and trying to elicit any mobility by moving the fixture. Although these are widely practised clinical techniques, there is little evidence in the literature supporting these concepts. There is therefore a clearly perceived need for a quantitative method to measure implant stability. Such a measurement may enable the bone quality and primary implant stability to be assessed at the time of fixture placement, providing a baseline measurement and an indication of an appropriate healing period.
A non-invasive test method to measure implant stability has recently been described by Meredith et al. This technique called Osstell® measures the resonance frequency of a small transducer which may be attached to an implant fixture or abutment.