Self-Tapping Implants: Clinical Review

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that primary stability has an essential role and is a prerequisite for successful osseointegration. In oversized implant sites, lower bone-to-implant contact and lower primary implant stability, followed by delayed osseointegration have been documented. These are considered to be a serious risk especially in challenging regions such as the posterior maxilla. In order to enhance primary stability it is preferable to choose a tapered implant, which creates lateral bone compression at the moment o implant insertion. After using the pilot drill, the bone layer adjacent to the implant site is progressively compacted with a series of bone condensers of increasing diameter, which results in better bone-to-implant contact and denser bone. Self-tapping implants have mainly been used in regions with soft bone quality such as the maxilla. These are usually designed to avoid the use of tapping procedures for implant site preparation, which are replaced by the action of cutting edges incorporated into the lower, apical portion of the implant. This design reduces the need for a tapping procedure during placement surgery, and can improve both primary stability and implant survival rate.