A quantitative ultrasound method to estimate dental implant stability

• Published in: The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 2017-05, Vol.141 (5), p.3887-3887
• Main Authors: Vayron, Romain, Nguyen, Vu-Hieu, Bosc, Romain, Haiat, Guillaume
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomechanics; Engineering Sciences; Mechanics
• ISSN: 0001-4966; 1520-8524
• DOI: 10.1121/1.4988716

Dental implants are widely used clinically. However, implant failures, which may have dramatic consequences, still occur and remain difficult to anticipate. Accurate measurements of implants biomechanical stability are of interest since they could be used to improve the surgical strategy. The aim of this paper is to determine whether quantitative ultrasound can be used to determine dental implant stability. Firstly, an implant was initially completely inserted in the proximal part of a bovine humeral bone sample. The 10 MHz ultrasonic response of the implant was then measured and a quantitative indicator was derived. Then, the implant was unscrewed by 2 π radians and the measurement was realized again. The value of indicator significantly increases as a function of the number of rotation. The results show that bone quantity in contact with the implant has a significant influence on its ultrasonic response. Secondly, a 3D finite element model was employed and the geometrical configuration was assumed to be axisymmetric. The numerical results show that the implant ultrasonic response changes significantly when a liquid layer is located at the implant interface. This study paves the way for the development of an ultrasonic tool to be used for the monitoring of osseointegration.