Enhancement of primary stability of dental implants using cortical satellite implants.

Abstract

This study aims to assess the effect of satellite implants on the primary stability of dental implants placed in fresh extraction sites in vitro. 34 titanium screw implants (3.75 mm x 10 mm; Bego, Bremen, Germany) were inserted in premolar- and molar-fresh extraction sites in domestic pig mandibles. Periotest (PT) values were assessed before and after insertion of one vestibular and one lingual 1.7-mm bone screw (Mondeal, Tuttlingen, Germany) as a satellite implant was connected to the implants with a 0.6-mm microplate welded to the implant abutment. The average PT values were 2.9 without satellite implants, -1.0 with one satellite implant, and -2.5 with two satellite implants during horizontal testing, and 3.0, 1.4, and 0.4, respectively, for vertical testing. Satellite implants increase the horizontal stability of implants in fresh extraction sites. Differences for horizontal PT assessment were significant on a 0.01 level of confidence. Implants in extraction sites may be loaded immediately, if vertical stabilization is provided by cortical bone and if horizontal PT values show sufficient stability after satellite implant insertion.