Resonance frequency analysis of dental implants placed at the posterior maxilla varying the surface treatment only: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND Chemical modifications of the dental implant surface that improve the wettability result in a faster and better osseointegration. PURPOSE The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the implant stability quotient (ISQ) of implants with similar designs, treated with 2 surfaces, sandblasted acid-etched (SAE) and hydrophilic SAE, within the initial 16 weeks of healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 64 implants (32 SAE-control group and 32 modified SAE-test group) with the same design, length, and diameter (conical and compressive, 4.3 × 10 mm) were inserted into the posterior maxillae of 21 patients partially edentulous. The ISQ values were collected at post-surgery (T0), 1 week (T1), 2 weeks (T2), 3 weeks (T3), 5 weeks (T4), 8 weeks (T5), 12 weeks (T6), and 16 weeks (T7). RESULTS None of the implants failed. Test group presented ISQ values higher than the control group (ANOVA-P < .01) from T5 to T7. When comparing groups regarding the amount of time required to achieve ISQ ≥ 70 as a reference, there was a statistically significant difference (cox regression-P < .01), and a hazard ratio of 2.24 (CI 1.62-3.11). At the 1-year follow-up, there was a drop out of 1 patient, and 2 implants were no longer evaluated. Survival rate for both groups was 100% at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The current study suggests that implants with hydrophilic surface (modified SAE) integrate faster than implants with SAE surface. The stability gain of the test group was 2.24 times faster than the control group after 5 weeks of evaluation at the posterior region of the edentulous maxillae.