Introduction. Although the functional efficiency of the masticatory system fitted with endosseous implants is high, their capacity for perceptive transmission is different from this capacity of natural teeth. The perception of machanical sensations and the transmission of sensory stimuli in the masticatory system of patients with titanium dental implants ensures the function of the stomatognathic system through the direct integration with the human body. Aim. The objective of this paper was to assess the conduction of acoustic waves via the bone through the dental implants placed in the bony structure of the maxilla and the mandible and through the natural teeth. Material and Methods. The research material consisted of 90 endosseous implants of various types, examined after 4–6 months of healing‑in, and 58 natural teeth located in the immediate vicinity of the implanted prosthetic abutments. The examination involved the stimulation of endosseous implants integrated with the bone and fitted with healing screws, as well as the stimulation of the natural teeth with an acoustic signal emitted by an audiometer vibrator. The so‑generated threshold auditory sensations were assessed by comparative analysis of their values. These values and the conduction of sound waves via the bone, connected with those values, were also evaluated relative to the age and gender of the patient, implant location and geometric dimensions, and the implant system applied. Results. The study demonstrated that the conduction of acoustic waves via the bone through dental implants was weaker in comparison to natural teeth. The conduction of acoustic waves did not depend on the type or dimensions of the intraosseous implants used. Conclusions. The capacity of the masticatory system fitted with endosseous implants to acoustically transmit mechanical stimuli is lower than the capacity of natural teeth. Examining the conduction of acoustic waves via the bone can be a non‑invasive and objective method for the assessment of endosseous implant stability.

Key words: dental implants, acoustic waves, osseoperception, osseointegration.