Effects of Biomineralization on Osseointegration of Pure Titanium Implants in the Mandible of Beagles.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a biologically active dental implant surface (treated with sandblasting and acid etching [SLA] followed by immersion in simulated body fluid [SBF]) on osseointegration.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We randomly divided 9 healthy adult male beagles (aged 8 months; body weight, 12 kg) into 3 groups: machined, SLA, and SLA-biomineralization (SLA-Bio). Six pure titanium implants (diameter of 3.5 mm and length of 8 mm) were used in the mandible of each dog after observation of the surface morphology, as well as analysis of the composition of the surface elements by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation, animals were euthanized to collect the mandibles so that we could perform the removal torque test to evaluate the implant stability in bone and histomorphometry to analyze the implant-bone osseointegration.

RESULTS

Scanning electron microscopy results showed that uniformly distributed sponge-like structures were found on the SLA-treated surface and an apatite layer was observed on the SLA-SBF-treated surface (SLA-Bio group). In the energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis, the elements titanium, oxygen, carbon, calcium, and phosphorus were found on the surfaces of the SLA-Bio group, whereas titanium was the only element found in the other groups. The removal torque test showed that the peak removal torque values of the 3 groups increased gradually with the passage of time, and the peak removal torque values of the SLA-Bio group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P < .01) at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation. Histomorphometric analysis showed that osseointegration was being enabled more rapidly in the SLA-Bio group, as well as that the mineral apposition rate and percentage of bone-to-implant contact of the SLA-Bio group were higher than those of the remaining groups at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Treating titanium implants with SLA-SBF can improve osseointegration as well as increase the interfacial shear strength.