Correlation of bone vascularity in the posterior mandible and subsequent implant stability: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVES: Bone vascularity is an important factor in process of osseointegration. The aim of this study was to find whether or not blood perfusion of the bone around the prepared implant sites influences subsequent implant stability. METHODS: Patients with bilaterally edentulous mandible were treated with dental implants. Bone vascularity in implant sites was previously noted using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF). Implant stability quotient (ISQ) was measured during follow-up period of 26th week. Statistical distribution and correlation between LDF and ISQ values were presented. Other variables (type of implant loading; sex and distance from the apical part of implant sites to the roof of the mandibular canal) were collected and correlated with LDF values. RESULTS: The mean recorded LDF value was 53.05 perfusion unit. Eighteen implants were immediately loaded, and the other 18 were early loaded. In the group of early loaded implants, a statistically significant correlation between mean value of LDF and changing value of resonance frequency analysis (P < 0.05) was noted at 5th, 6th, 12th, and 26th weeks. Using Pearson coefficient of correlation, there was no statistically significant relationship between other variables and LDF values.CONCLUSION: LDF values of implant sites might determine future implant stability