Effects of non-thermal plasma on sandblasted titanium dental implants in beagle dogs.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the effects of treating dental implants made from titanium with argon based non-thermal plasma, immediately before insertion on implant stability and bone formation. Biodegradable sandblasting and acid etching had been previously used to modify the surface of the implants.

METHODS: To obtain data for 4-time points in triplicate with references, a total of 36 dental implants were divided into 2 groups; 18 implants served as the experimental group and received a spray containing non-thermal plasma, while the other 18 implants served as controls. Two treated and two untreated implants were each inserted in the jaws of 9 beagle dogs. After periods of 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the Implant Stability Quotient scores were determined and histometric values obtained.

RESULTS: Plasma spray treatment increased the healing time slightly during the early recovery period (4th to 8th week, p = 0.1595 and 0.1041, respectively), but was not profoundly effective in the later recovery stage (12th week, p = 0.4942). Both non-decalcified histometric measurements and bone growth analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the plasma spray group and the controls at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

CONCLUSION: Non-thermal plasma did not enhance the stability of the implants nor did it increase bone formation in our animal models.