The Effectiveness of Osseodensification Drilling versus the Conventional Surgical Technique on Implant Stability: A Clinical Trial.

Background/Objective: To ensure that implants are able to support prosthetic rehabilitation, a stable and functional union between the bone and the implant surface is crucial to its stability and success. To increase bone volume and density and excel bone-implant contact, a novel drilling method, called osseodensification (OD), was performed. To assess the effectiveness of the osseodensification drilling protocol versus the conventional surgical technique on implant stability. Methods: Bone Level Tapered Straumann implants were placed side-by-side with both OD and subtractive conventional drilling (SD) in 90 patients from CESPU-Famalicão clinical unit. IT was measured using a manual torque wrench, and the Implant stability quotient (ISQ) value was registered using the Osstell® IDX. Results: According to the multifactorial ANOVA, there were statistically significant differences in the mean IT values due to the arch only (F(1.270) = 4.702, p-value = 0.031 < 0.05). Regarding the length of the implant, there were statistically significant differences in the mean IT in the OD group (p = 0.041), with significantly lower mean IT values for the Regular implants compared to the Long. With respect to the arch, the analyses of the overall ISQ values showed an upward trend in both groups in the maxilla and mandible. High levels of IT also showed high ISQ values, which represent good indicators of primary stability. Conclusions: OD does not have a negative influence on osseointegration compared to conventional subtractive osteotomy.