Shobha J Rodrigues, Vidya Kamalaksh Shenoy, Mithun K Upadhya, Mihir R Kulkarni, A B Tarun Kumar, A A Ponnanna, N S Mamatha
Within the limitations of this multicenter observational study, the evaluated implant system demonstrated favorable longitudinal ISQ trends during early healing. However, long-term controlled clinical studies incorporating comparative implant systems, radiographic bone level assessment, and extended follow-up are required before definitive clinical recommendations can be established.
BACKGROUND: Implant stability is an important determinant of successful osseointegration and long-term clinical outcomes. Although novel implant designs continue to emerge, independent multicenter clinical evidence evaluating longitudinal implant stability patterns remains limited.
AIM: To evaluate longitudinal implant stability patterns of a novel Grade 23 titanium dental implant system using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) across multiple clinical time points.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study included 230 patients receiving 295 implants across nine academic centers. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were recorded at implant placement, second-stage surgery, impression making, and prosthesis trial. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric analyses (Friedman, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests) were performed. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate associations between baseline and subsequent ISQ measurements.
RESULTS: ISQ values remained generally high throughout the observation period, with mean ISQ values ranging from 73.06 ± 11.66 at implant placement to 75.07 ± 8.23 at the prosthesis trial stage. Mandibular implants demonstrated higher ISQ values than maxillary implants during the early healing stages (p < 0.05), although these differences became less pronounced at later clinical stages. Positive correlations were observed between baseline ISQ values and ISQ measurements recorded at subsequent clinical stages. Thirteen implants failed during osseointegration and two after prosthetic loading, yielding a cumulative survival rate of 94.92%.
CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this multicenter observational study, the evaluated implant system demonstrated favorable longitudinal ISQ trends during early healing. However, long-term controlled clinical studies incorporating comparative implant systems, radiographic bone level assessment, and extended follow-up are required before definitive clinical recommendations can be established.