Implications of implant stability: how to optimize our clinical decisions?

Implant stability is a cornerstone of predictable and successful implant therapy, directly influencing surgical protocols, loading strategies, and long-term outcomes. However, implant stability is often misunderstood or oversimplified, leading to clinical decisions that may not fully reflect the biological and mechanical complexity of osseointegration.

This 45-minute webinar explores the concept of implant stability from a contemporary, evidence-based perspective, with a strong focus on its clinical implications throughout the entire implant treatment workflow.

A key component of the webinar will be the rational use of objective stability measurements, particularly resonance frequency analysis (RFA), as a decision-making tool rather than a simple numerical reference. The session will discuss how stability values should be interpreted within a broader clinical context, avoiding rigid thresholds and instead promoting biologically driven, patient-specific decisions.

Through clinical examples and practical scenarios, participants will learn how implant stability assessment can guide decisions related to immediate versus delayed loading, provisionalization protocols, risk management in compromised sites, and communication within interdisciplinary teams. The lecture will also address common misconceptions and limitations related to stability measurements, highlighting how to integrate them responsibly into daily practice.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the biological and mechanical principles of implant stability, including the dynamic relationship between primary and secondary stability throughout the osseointegration process.
• Interpret implant stability measurements critically, recognizing the strengths, limitations, and proper clinical use of resonance frequency analysis (RFA) in different treatment scenarios.
• Integrate implant stability data into clinical decision-making, particularly when selecting surgical approaches, loading protocols, and timing of provisional and definitive restorations.
• Identify risk factors affecting implant stability in compromised clinical situations, such as low bone density, immediate placement, or complex prosthetic demands, and adapt treatment strategies accordingly.