Implant stability changes over time following implant placement in elderly patients: A prospective study

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aging on the changes in implant stability over time following implant placement.

Materials and methods A total of 104 patients in four age ranges (group 1: <60 years, group 2: 61–70 years, group 3: 71–80 years, and group 4: >80 years) were included. Bone-level tapered implants were placed without implementing any bone augmentation procedure. The final torque value displayed on the implant engine during implant insertion was recorded. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed immediately after surgery to analyze the bone quality around the implant. Implant stability was measured immediately after surgery and 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery.

Results In the CBCT image, higher grayscale values were observed in the order of group 1, group 2, and groups 3/4, with statistical significance (p < .05). There was no significant difference in the insertion torque values between age groups (p ≥ .05). Groups 1 and 2 showed lower implant stability values after 2 and 4 weeks compared to immediately and 8 weeks after surgery (p < .05); however, groups 3 and 4 showed no significant difference between the results measured at different timepoints (p ≥ .05).

Conclusions Implant treatment in elderly patients is successful showing a settled implant stability over time following implant placement when the implant is appropriately engaged in the alveolar bone in the absence of bone augmentation.