Electronic monitoring of dental implant osseointegration.
BACKGROUND
The methods for evaluating dental implant osseointegration can be limited in their effectiveness. The authors developed a new noninvasive electronic instrument to test implant stability and improve the assessment process.


METHODS
Using the new instrument, which was based on impulse testing and fast Fourier transform, or FFT, technology, the authors tested implant stability under real-time clinical conditions. The clinical procedure involved a weekly test of two placed implants, from the first-stage insertion point to the completion of the integration. This longitudinal monitoring spanned eight months.


RESULTS
The authors verified clinical implant integration electronically and that it closely matched mathematical predictions. They also observed changes in implant stability during the integration process.


CONCLUSIONS
Implant stability can be monitored electronically using FFT testing. A theoretical integration prediction also can be formulated. Like a "dental electrocardiogram," integration is assessed by waveform shape analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Electronic measurement of implant stability may help clinicians noninvasively diagnose the suitability of implants for restoration and aid in postrestorative monitoring.
Dario
Lawrence J
LJ
Spectral Science Research Corp., Boston, USA.
Cucchiaro
Paul J
PJ
Deluzio
Anthony J
AJ
D015921:Dental Implants; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D003936:Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016348:Osseointegration; D010474:Percussion; D011861:Radiography, Dental; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D019415:Torque; D014732:Vibration
D015921:Dental Implants