Influence of Mechanical Loading on Resonance Frequency Analysis and Trabecular Structure of Peri-implant Bone

Purpose: The objective of this study was to clarify the effect of mechanical loading on the trabecular structure of peri-implant bone and determine its correlation with the implant stability quotient (ISQ) value.Methods: This study used 3 immunologically mature male dogs. Three months after bilateral extraction of the mandibular premolars of the dogs, 4 implants were placed in these sites for each dog. After 3 months to allow healing of the implant sites, superstructures were prepared on the right side (loaded side). The implants on the left side were covered with mucosa (non-loaded side). The ISQ values of all implants were measured 3 months after placing the superstructures; subsequently, the animals were sacrificed. After the mandible was excised and fixed, micro-CT images were acquired and three-dimensional analysis, performed.Results: The means and S.D. of the ISQ value for the 12 implants were 69.6±6.2 and 62.9±13.8 for the loaded and non-loaded sides, respectively. No significant difference was noted between the 2 sides. Mean and S.D. of bone volume fraction (BV/TV) were 13.0±6.6 and 9.3±3.8; trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), 97.7±27.7 µm and 91.0 ± 24.0 µm; and trabecular number (Tb.N), 1.24±0.30/mm and 0.99±0.20/mm for the loaded and non-loaded sides, respectively. BV/TV and Tb.N values were higher for the loaded side.Conclusion: Morphological changes occurred in response to functional loading. However, lamellar bone was observed around the implants on both sides. These findings revealed that changes in the bone structure due to functional loading of implants had negligible or no effect on the ISQ value.