Implant stability, interpreted
The implant stability quotient (ISQ) runs from 1 to 100, but the number alone does not make a loading decision. This free tool maps ISQ, insertion torque, bone quality, and timing to cautious literature-based considerations.
Use the stability toolStability Interpreter
Educational reference for dental professionals. It summarizes conventions from published implant literature; it is not clinical advice, and the loading decision rests with the treating clinician.
Stability band: -
Summarizes commonly cited literature conventions. Not a treatment recommendation; clinical judgment and the full case picture govern. Sources.
What the numbers mean
ISQ - micro-mobility
Measured by resonance frequency analysis (RFA). Repeatable over time, which makes it useful for tracking the stability trend from placement to loading. See the full ISQ scale reference.
Insertion torque - resistance
The rotational resistance at placement, in Ncm. It is a one-time mechanical value. It should be read alongside ISQ, not as a substitute for it.
Bone quality - context
The same ISQ can mean different things in dense cortical bone and fine trabecular bone. Bone classification frames why trend measurement and case context matter.
Common questions
What is a good ISQ score for a dental implant?
ISQ values of 70 and above are commonly treated as a high-stability band, 60-69 as medium, and below 60 as low. These are practical conventions, not treatment thresholds. Loading decisions still depend on insertion torque, bone quality, timing, prosthetic plan, and the full clinical picture.
How are ISQ and insertion torque related?
They measure different properties: insertion torque is mechanical resistance at placement, while ISQ is an RFA-derived stability reading that can be repeated over time. Reviews differ on the strength of correlation, so they should be read as complementary measurements rather than interchangeable values or stand-alone loading rules.
What is the implant stability dip?
Early-healing RFA studies describe a period when primary mechanical stability can decline before secondary biological stability has matured. The exact timing varies by study and case context, so a single early value is weaker than a trend from placement to pre-loading review.
When should ISQ be measured?
A common pattern is a baseline measurement at placement and a second measurement before loading. Comparing values helps show whether stability is rising, flat, or falling; the trend carries more information than one isolated reading.