Comparative study on the osseointegration of implants in dog mandibles according to the implant surface treatment.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared the impact of implant surface treatment on the stability and osseointegration of implants in dog mandibles.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six adult dogs received a total of 48 implants that were prepared using four different surface treatments; resorbable blast media (RBM), hydroxyapatite (HA), hydrothermal-treated HA, and sand blasting and acid etching (SLA). Implants were installed, and dogs were separated into 2- and 4-week groups. Implant stability was evaluated via Periotest M, Osstell Mentor, and removal torque analyzers. A histomorphometric analysis was also performed.

RESULTS: The stability evaluation showed that all groups generally had satisfactory values. The histomorphometric evaluation via a light microscope revealed that the HA surface implant group had the highest ratio of new bone formation on the entire fixture. The hydrothermal-treated HA surface implant group showed a high ratio of bone-to-implant contact in the upper half of the implant area.

CONCLUSION: The hydrothermal-treated HA implant improved the bone-to-implant contact ratio on the upper fixture, which increased the implant stability.