Resonance Frequency Analysis for Immediately Placed Dental Implants Replacing Periapically Infected Teeth

Aims: There is a controversy regarding the indication of implant insertion into the sockets of infected teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of immediate implants replacing periapically infected teeth utilizing Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) method. Materials and Methods: Preoperatively, clinical, and radiographic examination accomplished for the patients. After anesthetizing the surgical area, the accused tooth extracted, and the socket curetted by surgical curette to remove the periapical lesion then irrigated by normal saline solution. The implant inserted into its prepared site. Beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (combined by collagen membrane) used to fill gaps ≥ 2 mm and to repair bone defects. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were measured for the implants during surgery and after 16 weeks. Postoperative clinical and radiographic evaluation were conducted for each patient. Results: Fourteen implants out of 41 immediate implants (34.1%) had been inserted in the extraction sockets of teeth have chronic periapical lesions (infected sites), T-test showed no significant difference in implant stability (ISQ value) between implant placed in infected and non-infected sites neither at baseline nor at 16-weeks. Paired t-test showed highly significant increase in implant stability (ISQ value) of implants placed in infected sites while in the other implants the mean ISQ value increased with no significant difference during the healing period. The success rate was 100% after 4 years of implantation. Conclusions: Presence of periapical lesion is not a contraindication to place immediate implant when properly managed and can provide similar survival rate to that of implants inserted into healthy sockets.