The effect of implant shape and bone preparation on primary stability

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of implant shape and bone preparation on the primary stability of the implants using resonance frequency analysis. METHODS: Sixty bovine rib blocks were used for soft and hard bone models. Each rib block received two types of dental implant fixtures; a straight-screw type and tapered-screw type. Final drilling was done at three different depths for each implant type; 1 mm under-preparation, standard preparation, and 1 mm over-preparation. Immediately after fixture insertion, the implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured for each implant. RESULTS: Regardless of the bone type, the ISQ values of the straight-screw type and tapered-screw type implants were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Depth of bone preparation had no significant effect on the ISQ value of straight-screw type implants (P > 0.05). For the tapered-screw type implants, under-preparation significantly increased the ISQ value (P < 0.05), whereas overpreparation significantly decreased the ISQ value (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it is concluded that bone density seemed to have a prevailing effect over implant shape on primary stability. The primary stability of the tapered-screw type implants might be enhanced by delicate surgical techniques.