Implant stability changes in dental implants installed by osseodensification and conventional methods: A randomized controlled study.

Aims To evaluate the effect of implant site preparation in low-density bone using osseodensification (OD) drilling technique in terms of implant stability changes during the osseous healing period, insertion torque (IT), and preparation time and compare them to the conventional drilling technique.

Materials and Methods In this randomized controlled clinical study, a total of 40 dental implants (DI) were randomly divided into two groups: A study group of implants installed after using the OD drilling technique, and a control group of implants installed using the conventional drilling technique. The outcome variables included implant stability measured immediately following implant insertion as well as 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively using resonance frequency analysis and recorded as implant stability quotient (ISQ), IT measured as Ncm, and preparation time in minutes.

Results There was no statistically significant difference in primary stability between the groups (P-value 0.216). In contrast, at 6 weeks and 12 weeks postoperatively, the control group showed higher ISQ values (P-values 0.002 and 0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference in the (IT) between the groups (P-value 0.627). The preparation time was significantly longer in the study group compared to the control group (P-value 0.0001). 

Conclusion The OD drilling technique did not show a more favorable outcome regarding the implant stability changes, IT, and preparation time over that of the conventional approach and resulted in a significant drop in stability after 6 weeks postoperatively, making OD use for early loading questionable.