Acoustical estimation of endosseous implant stability: Finite element modeling and experimental validation

Abstract

Various endosseous implants are widely used in orthopedic and dental surgeries. However, failures are observed, which may have dramatic consequences and are often due to a loss of implant stability. The aim of this presentation is to describe two acoustical methods developed to assess the stability of different implants. First, a quantitative ultrasound method was used to determine the stability of dental implants. A monoelement 10 MHz transducer is screwed into the implant and the signal is processed to obtain an indicator. The method was first validated in implants embedded in biomaterials used as bone substitutes, then in vitro and eventually in vivo by comparison with histology. A 3D FEM was developed to optimize the device conception and carry out sensitivity studies. Second, an impact hammer was used in order to investigate whether the AC implant primary stability can be evaluated using such approach. The method was first validated in vitro and in cadaveric experiments. The results showed that an in...