Effect of phosphate treatment of Acid-etched implants on mineral apposition rates near implants in a dog model.

PURPOSE

This study evaluated the effects of phosphate coating of acid-etched titanium on the mineral apposition rate (MAR) and new bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in a canine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Titanium implants (2.2 3 4 mm) with acid-etched surfaces that were electrolytically phosphated or not were placed in 48 mandibular sites in six foxhounds. Tetracycline and calcein dyes were administered 1 week after implant placement and 1 week before sacrifice. At 12 weeks after implant placement, the animals were sacrificed. MAR and BIC were evaluated using fluorescence microscopy. Light microscopic and histologic evaluations were performed on undecalcified sections.

RESULTS

Microscopic evaluation showed the presence of healthy osteoblasts lining bone surfaces near implants. Similar BIC was observed in phosphated and nonphosphated titanium implant sites. MAR was significantly higher around the nonphosphated titanium implant surfaces than around the phosphated titanium samples. No significant differences were found between dogs or implant sites.

CONCLUSION

Acid-etched implants showed significantly higher MARs compared to acid-etched, phosphate-coated implants. Int J Maxillofac Implants 2010;25:278-286.