Why data matters: How leading clinicians use OsstellConnect to improve implant outcomes

Dr Michael R. Norton, a renowned oral surgeon and past president of the Academy of Osseointegration, has long advocated for a more biologically respectful approach to implant dentistry. In his clinical practice, he challenges the widespread reliance on high insertion torque as a proxy for implant stability – a method he describes as “carpenter-like” and potentially harmful to peri-implant bone.

Instead, Dr Norton uses Resonance Frequency Analysis (RFA) and OsstellConnect to monitor implant stability over time. In a recent case involving a 37-year-old patient with a failing maxillary central incisor and a large periapical cyst, he placed an implant using a low insertion torque of just 20 Ncm. Despite the minimal mechanical engagement, the initial ISQ values of 61 and 65 indicated acceptable primary stability.

What followed was a textbook example of how longitudinal ISQ measurements can guide treatment decisions. Using OsstellConnect, Dr Norton tracked the implant’s stability over several months:

• 6 weeks: ISQ increased to 64/69
• 4 months: ISQ reached 79/82
• 9–12 months: ISQ plateaued at 85/86, confirming full biological integration

• “Insertion torque is a one-off measure. It gives no insight into the biological process of healing. In contrast, RFA allows us to map the transition from primary to secondary stability and make informed decisions about when to restore.”

This clinical case was originally published in Implants – International Magazine of Oral Implantology, issue 3/25, pages 28–32. Used with permission.
You can download the full case report here.
You can download the full magazine here.

Beyond individual cases, Dr Norton sees OsstellConnect as a valuable clinical audit tool. It allows clinicians to document surgical protocols, risk factors, and ISQ trends – contributing to a growing body of knowledge that can improve implant outcomes globally.

Dr Will Martin, Clinical Professor at the University of Florida and Director of the Center for Implant Dentistry, has integrated OsstellConnect deeply into both clinical practice and education. With a patient population ranging from routine cases to highly complex scenarios, his team relies on ISQ measurements to guide treatment decisions and improve predictability.

In his lecture at the Osstell ISQ Symposium, Dr Martin emphasized the value of longitudinal ISQ tracking – not just at placement, but throughout healing and follow-up. “When you have a trend in measurements over time, it gives you a story about the stability of the implant,” he explained. This data-driven approach allows clinicians to adjust treatment plans based on real-time biological feedback, rather than relying solely on insertion torque or intuition.

At the University of Florida, OsstellConnect is used to:

• Track ISQ values over time for each implant
• Document surgical protocols and risk factors
• Educate patients and referrals using printable treatment and stability reports
• Support student learning by linking clinical procedures with measurable outcomes

Dr Martin also highlighted the ConsultationTool within OsstellConnect as a powerful aid in patient communication. “It’s a non-threatening way to show treatment phases and timelines,” he said. “Patients often ask, ‘When will this be done?’ – and with this tool, we can visually guide them through each step.”

To streamline data entry, Dr Martin and his team at the University of Florida have developed chairside forms that are later uploaded manually to OsstellConnect. This approach ensures consistent documentation without disrupting clinical flow – a practical solution in an academic setting.

However, many clinicians prefer to take advantage of OsstellConnect’s integrated features, such as wireless transfer of ISQ values directly from the Beacon device, and the ability to scan implant packaging to automatically document REF and LOT numbers. This also enables SmartPeg Type guidance, helping clinicians select the correct component for each implant system.

You can watch Dr Martin’s full webinar here.

Dr Scott Ganz, a pioneer in digital dentistry and editor-in-chief of Cone Beam International, has long championed the use of objective data in implant treatment planning. In his lecture at the Osstell Symposium, he made a clear statement:

“There are two technologies that I feel are vital in the practice of implant dentistry. The first is 3D CBCT imaging and advanced treatment planning software, which form the initial diagnostic foundation; and the second is resonance frequency analysis (RFA), which brings us the Implant Stability Quotient or ISQ. Both are essential to achieve consistent and repeatable treatment outcomes.”

Dr Ganz uses ISQ measurements not only to assess primary stability, but to track implant integration over time. He emphasizes that insertion torque is a one-time, subjective value, while ISQ offers repeatable, longitudinal insights that support clinical decision-making.
A strong advocate for OsstellConnect, Dr Ganz highlights its value in both clinical documentation and education. By saving ISQ values in the cloud, clinicians can monitor healing, share data with colleagues, and contribute to a growing body of evidence.
“With OsstellConnect, we can share this data, we can collect this data, we can have meaningful discussions about that data.”
Dr Ganz also sees OsstellConnect as a powerful tool for implant companies and universities, enabling large-scale data collection and analysis to improve outcomes and guide innovation.
You can watch Dr Ganz’s full webinar here.