Objective: We compared the performance of damping capacity assessment (Periotest device) to resonance frequency analysis (Osstell device) in the assessment of peri-implant bone loss in an in vitro experiment.
Material and methods: Screw-type oral implants were polymerized into acrylic blocks. Peri-implant bone loss was simulated by successively removing defined portions of material surrounding the implants in millimeter increments. Measurement values of both devices were compared by assessing the associated measurement errors, by calculating correlation analyses and drawing scatterplots, and by means of regression analysis referring to increasing bone loss.
Results: Both devices produced comparable results suggesting agreement of the measured implant stability values to the actual loss of peri-implant resin. There was a noticeable correlation of the Periotest and Osstell implant stability values.
Conclusion: The results of this experiment suggest agreement in predicting the actual implant stability with both the instruments with the Osstell instrument being the more precise device.