Novel implant design for initial stability of dental implants inserted in fresh extraction sockets: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate a novel implant design for immediate implantation. This implant presents a specially designed expanded diameter midcrestal "wing" thread, which is aimed to provide added bone contact for greater insertion torque and primary stability. METHODS Mandibular premolars were extracted in 2 mongrel dogs, and immediate dental implants were inserted into the fresh extraction sockets. Implants were evaluated for stability using a resonance frequency analysis device immediately after insertion and after 4 and 8 weeks. Removal torque of 1 randomly selected implant in each hemimandible was measured as well. At 8 weeks, the remaining 6 implants were processed histologically. RESULTS Mean implant stability quotient at implant placement was 64.38 (5.03) and 74.5 (3.08) at 8 weeks. Average removal torque immediately after implant placement was 49.65 (20.3) N.cm and 98.33 (12.34) N.cm at 8 weeks. The mean bone-to-implant contact value at 8 weeks was 38.89% (7.65%). CONCLUSIONS The examined implant with the expanded diameter midcrestal "wing" thread showed good results of resonance frequency analysis and removal torque during the initial healing phase, and as such, it might be used for immediate implantation and loading.