Implant stability related to insertion torque force and bone density: An in vitro study

Seventy-five implants were installed in 12 fresh ethanol-treated bovine ribs by use of a torque gauge manometer to measure the force needed to screw the implants fully into the bone. Digital radiographs were taken and a density histogram of the bone at the implant/bone interface was obtained. The damping characteristics of the implant/bone interface were assessed by tapping the abutment with the Periotest (PT) device. Abutments of several lengths screwed at 20 N/cm were used to conduct PT measurements and the PT values (PTVs) were related to the insertion torque force, the bone density, and implant and abutment length. The results indicated that high correlations exist between PTVs and insertion torque force (R value -0.74579), and PTVs and bone density (R value -0.83031). There was also a significant difference (p 0.001) among the PTVs of the different abutment lengths used. Implant length did not demonstrate influence on PTVs (p 0.3847).