It is the ideal complement to tactile assessment. The decision will always be complex. It involves several key clinical parameters and risk factors (most of them related to implant stability). Precise measurements of implant stability therefore provide valuable diagnostic insight that helps ensure successful treatment.
At the time of placement, stability can be difficult to quantify objectively by relying on tactile perception alone. Torque measurements are difficult to repeat once the implant has begun to integrate and, as a result, may not provide a basis for later comparisons. The invasive torque method can even impair healing if it is used to monitor osseointegration.
DIGITAL DENTISTRY
The Osstell meter approaches this dilemma in a unique way. It does more than measure and quantify the implant’s primary stability with unmatched accuracy. Every implant patient is unique and must be assessed on their own characteristics. The factors that affect the outcome of an implant are the patient’s age, bone density and volume, and the degree of osseointegration.
Because Osstell helps decide when to place the implant and avoid failures in high-risk situations, it becomes a quality assurance system for the clinic. Most patients instinctively understand stability measurements and how they determine when to place an implant or when to wait.