Around 6 years ago when Straumann launched the SLActive implant and we started to actively reduce healing times in implant dentistry base on research protocols I purchased and began using an Ostell Mentor to test for implant stability on placement (ISQ) The machine works on radio frequency analysis and a peg inserted into the implant is vibrated using radio waves which is then calibrated within the machine to provide a stability figure (ISQ)
The true benefit of the Ostell Mentor is to show an improvement in stability over time, which indicates the improvement in secondary stability in an implant placement.
Over a period of time we became more confident with SLActive and our healing times and therefore stopped routinely using the Mentor and the pegs which have to be paid for.
On a recent trip to the University of Bern, I saw that their protocol in sinus grafted patients where implants were placed simultaneously was to use the ISQ to test and then to load implants 6 weeks following simultaneous sinus grafting if the ISQ was acceptable.
Out came the old Ostell Mentor again and we began using it and have started to enjoy this facility once more. We contacted the UK distributors to purchase some pegs and found out that they would trade in the model 1 Ostell for the newest model for quite a reasonable deal and we have now ordered this.
As part of the protocol for simultaneous implant placement and sinus grafting we will now use the Ostell Mentor in every single case and this will give us a clinical validity to load the implants at 6 – 8 weeks following sinus grafting which is a much reduced healing protocol than the one we have.
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