THE USE OF THE PERIOTEST VALUE AS THE INITIAL SUCCESS CRITERIA OF AN IMPLANT - 8-YEAR REPORT

Osseointegration is a histometric process that occurs gradually over a period of time. The load that an implant is able to bear depends upon , among other parameters, the quality of the bone-implant contact. For 8 years the damping capacity of 1,182 Branemark implants inserted con secutively in 315 patients was measured using the Periotest method. Th e following clinical observations were made: (1) a relationship was fo und between implants with a specific Periotest value range that at the moment of the transepithelial connection, were considered to be clini cally stable asymptomatic, and whose radiograph image was not radioluc ent; (2) a relationship was found between clinically nonintegrated imp lants with a different Periotest value range; (3) variations in the Pe riotest value were related to the type of bone in which the implant wa s placed; (4) a small percentage of borderline implants with a Periote st value between the osseointegrated and the nonosseointegrated Periot est values was detected (5) the percentage of secondary failures was r elated to an initial Periotest value corresponding to a borderline imp lant: (6) the healing time of each implant was individualized in accor dance with the successively obtained Periotest value; (7) the load and the design of the prosthesis were individualized; (8) early detection of failing implants before fabrication of prostheses is possible: (9) communication was improved between the surgeon and the prosthodontist ; and (10) variations in Periotest value were related to bone remodeli ng. The sensitivity of the principal clinical test in evaluating osseo integration is discussed regarding the moment of its application. The use of Periotest values as an initial success criteria of an implant i s proposed.