Primary stability comparison using piezoelectric or conventional implant site preparation systems in cancellous bone: A pilot study

PURPOSE: This study compares implant primary stability achieved in cancellous bone after placement in piezoelectric prepared sites versus conventionally drilled sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four bovine ribs were randomly assigned and placed in a water bath at 36.5 C. Five sites per rib (total n = 20 sites) were prepared using piezoelectric system (test) or conventional drills (control) with twenty 10 × 3.6-mm Implantium implants placed. Using Osstell Mentor quantitative analysis, 5 resonance frequency analysis [implant stability quotient {ISQ}] values per implant were recorded at 5 locations for a total of 100 measurements. RESULTS: Independent t test analysis indicated significant difference in primary stabilities between groups: t (17) = 2.637, P = 0.17, with equal variance assumption satisfied (P = 0.196). Examination of means indicated a higher mean ISQ for piezoelectric than for conventional: 58.9 (+8.55) versus 49.2 (+7.33), respectively. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in mean ISQ value by rib. Tukey test indicated significantly higher ISQ values for rib A (test) than ribs B, C (control), and D (test). CONCLUSION: Implant site preparation using the piezoelectric system gives higher implant primary stability in cancellous bone. However, variations in quality across bones may have affected the results.