Bone response to zirconia ceramic implants: an experimental study in rabbits.

This study analyzes the bone response to zirconia ceramic implants inserted in New Zealand white mature male rabbits. The implants were inserted into the tibia, and each rabbit received 4 implants. All the animals were euthanatized after 4 weeks. A total of 20 implants were retrieved. Implants and surrounding tissues were immediately fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and 0.1% glutaraldehyde in 0.15 molar cacodylate buffer at 4 degrees C and pH 7.4 to be processed for histology. The specimens were processed to obtain thin ground sections with the Precise 1 Automated System. The slides were observed in normal transmitted light under a Leitz Laborlux microscope. A great quantity of newly formed bone was observed in close contact with zirconia ceramic surfaces; in some areas, many osteoblasts were present directly on the zirconia. Percentage of bone-implant contact was 68.4% +/- 2.4%. Mature bone, with few marrow spaces, was present. Small actively secreting osteoblasts were present in the most coronal and apical portions of the implant. No inflamed or multinucleated cells were present. This study concluded that these implants are highly biocompatible and osteoconductive.