Is It Possible to Monitor Implant Stability on a Prosthetic Abutment? An In Vitro Resonance Frequency Analysis

In order to apply the "one-abutment–one-time" concept, we evaluated the possibility of measuring resonance frequency analysis (RFA) on the abutment. This trial aimed to compare the Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ) values obtained by the PenguinRFA when screwing the transducer onto the implant or onto abutments with different heights and angulations. Eighty implants (VEGA®, Klockner Implant System, SOADCO, Les Escaldes, Andorra) were inserted into fresh bovine ribs. The groups were composed of 20 implants, 12 mm in length, with two diameters (3.5 and 4 mm). Five different abutments for screwed retained restorations (Permanent®) were placed as follows: straight with 1, 2, and 3 mm heights, and angulated at 18◦ with 2 and 3 mm heights. The mean value of the ISQ measured directly on the implant was 75.72 ± 4.37. The mean value of the ISQ registered over straight abutments was 79.5 ± 8.50, 76.12 ± 6.63, and 71.42 ± 6.86 for 1, 2, and 3 mm height abutments. The mean ISQ over angled abutments of 2 and 3 mm heights were 68.74 ± 4.68 and 64.51 ± 4.53 respectively. The present study demonstrates that, when the ISQ is registered over the straight abutments of 2 and 3 mm heights, the values decrease, and values are lower for angled, 3 mm height abutments.