Assessment of insertion force for the placement of cortical implants in various anatomic sites in dried human skulls

BACKGROUND: Dental implant treatment is an excellent option for prosthetic restoration that is associated with high success rates. Implant stability is essential for a good outcome. The basal bone implants are usually placed in poorly atrophied basal bone areas. AIMS: To determine the stability during insertion in bones by measuring the torque using a wrench. To obtain the number of cortical engagements via stimulating concerned anatomical location in jaws. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was designed as an ex vivo study. In case of basal implants, the integration of the implants is in stable cortex. Such a stable engagement is achieved by stimulation of certain areas in anterior maxilla such as anterior nasal spine, nasal floor, canine fossa, while posteriorly, maxillary tuberosity and pterygoid. In mandible the symphysis, parasymphysis, lingual cortex and retromolar pad areas were engaged. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the above-mentioned areas were stimulated for the engagement of cortical bones using cortical implantology. Cortical implants of various sizes and tapers were inserted and analyzed for its bone quality and quantity. The stability of such implants was tested during insertion by measuring the torque with the use of a torque wrench instrument. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Comparative observational study using standards of deviation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that there was a significant correlation between insertion force and diameter of implants when placed in jaws in a dried human skull model. The present study needs to be further conducted to establish the observational results completely and hence correlate the results with human studies.