Effect of bone quality and quantity on the primary stability of dental implants in a simulated bicortical placement.

Limited bone height in the maxilla is a major problem when planning dental implants. To overcome this problem, several approaches, e.g. external or internal sinus floor elevation, have been established. When planning the insertion of a dental implant an important aspect is the primary stability which can be expected. With other factors, the dimensions of the cortical bone might be relevant in this context. It would, therefore, be helpful to define the minimum thickness of cortical bone required to achieve sufficient primary stability, thus avoiding additional surgical intervention.