Does hyperbaric oxygen therapy pressure reduce mechanical stability of implants?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has beneficial effects for patients complaining of poor bone healing such as related to diabetes mellitus. However, it is known that changing pressure conditions might cause dental barotrauma in the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate implant mechanical stability under HBOT pressure. Thirty-five implants were placed in bone blocks divided into five groups as control, 1, 3, 5, 7 HBOT cycles. In one cycle, 2.4 bar 100% oxygen pressure was performed. Implants’ stabilities were measured with resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and removal torque (RT) meter device. Data were analyzed using Shapiro Wilk, ANOVA, and Tukey HSD tests for RFA and RT values considering p < 0.05 as the statistical significance level. RFA and RT values were compared by Pearson correlation coefficiency. RFA values of 5 and 7 HBOT cycles were significantly lower than 1, 3 HBOT and control group (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between 5 and 7 HBOT cycles RFA values. HBOT pressure simulation slightly but statistically decreased the stability for the implants exposed to 5 and 7 HBOT cycles. [Figure: see text]