A site-specific intraoperative measurement of bone-to-implant contact during implant insertion: A study on bovine ribs using a computerized implant motor

Background/purposeThe aim of the current in vitro study was to determine if there was a correlation between the integrals (I) of the function cutting resistance/depth, obtained using a computerized implant motor, and the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) percentages of dental implants inserted in bovine ribs.Materials and methodsSegments of bovine ribs were used, and a total of 21 perforations were performed. A total of 21 dental implants were inserted in the prepared bone sites. A computerized implant motor (“Torque Measuring Motor”) was used to assess, before implant insertion, the values of the bone cutting resistance. The data of bone density obtained by the implant motor were statistically correlated with the BIC percentages.ResultsA significant positive linear correlation was found between the integrals measured by the implant motor and the BIC assessed by histomorphometry (r = 0.78, n = 21, P < 0.0001). Indeed, the increase of the integral values recorded by the reader matched with the increase of BIC percentages measured by histomorphometry. Pearson correlation coefficient for linear regression (R2) between values assessed by the surgical motor and histomorphometry was 0.61 (P < 0.0001), indicating that 61% of the data points were aligned with the regression line.ConclusionThe instrument under testing seems to provide a reliable quantitative estimator, the integral, of the final BIC achieved at implant insertion, and therefore of the implant primary stability, and could represent a significant aid for a proper planning of rehabilitations with the use of dental implants.