Long-term studies have documented the successful treatment of edentulous and partially edentulous patients with titanium implants. However, the inability to identify some non-osseointegrated implants before occlusal loading is costly to practitioners and patients. This study followed all patients (n = 40) who had implants placed over a 6-month period. The Periotest instrument was used at Stage II surgery, final impression, prosthesis placement, and 6 and 12 months after occlusal loading to quantify mobility/lack of mobility of implants with conventional 1-piece temporary healing abutments in place. The positive predictive value was 64%. The Periotest instrument was able to identify non-integrated implants only when measured at Stage II surgery and 12 months after occlusal loading, 64% of the time. However, Periotest values recorded at Stage II surgery are not valid predictors of non-osseointegrated implants 12 months post-occlusal loading.

Keywords: dental prosthesis, endosseous dental implantation, osseointegration, sensitivity and specificity