Insertion Speed Affects the Initial Stability of Dental Implants

Purpose This study investigated the effects of insertion speed of dental implants on their stability. Methods Dental implants were inserted at speeds of 4, 10, 20, and 30 rpm, respectively, into artificial bones of two different bone qualities; namely, good bone (GB) and poor bone (PB). Therefore, the four insertion speeds and two bone qualities totaled eight groups, with five specimens per group. During the insertion process, the maximum insertion torque value (ITV) was measured, along with two stability parameters: periotest value (PTV) and initial stability quotient (ISQ). Results Dental implants in the GB group exhibited better stability than those in the PB group (p < 0.001). Significant differences in ITVs were observed among the four insertion speeds in both the GB and PB groups (p = 0.004 and p = 0.034, respectively). In general, the higher the insertion speed, the lower the ITV; in particular, the ITVs for implants inserted at 4 rpm were higher than those measured at 20 and 30 rpm (p = 0.008). However, regardless of the bone quality, the PTVs did not differ significantly among the four insertion speeds (p = 0.066). In both the GB and PB groups, the ISQs differed significantly differences among the four insertion speeds (p = 0.016 and p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion The stability parameters measured for dental implants in the GB group were all higher than those measured in the PB group. In general, a higher insertion speed resulted in a lower ITV value. The PTV did not differ significantly, while the ISQ differed significantly among the four insertion speeds.