A clinical comparison of LTI carbon, alumina, and carbon-coated alumina blade-type implants in baboons.

Abstract

The clinical performance of LTI carbon, carbon-coated aluminum oxide, and uncoated aluminum oxide blade-type dental implants was studied in baboons. The objective of the study was to determine the effect that implant material elastic modulus and surface composition have on implant performance. Clinical parameters of mobility, sulcus depth, soft tissue characteristics, and radiographic appearance were used in the evaluation. The implants were placed in healed extraction sites in adult female baboons and were used as a distal abutment for a three-unit fixed gold prosthesis. The restorations were allowed to assume normal occlusal function and were left in situ for a period of two years. The radiographic and sulcus depth measurements appeared inferior for the LTI carbon implants and best for the carbon-coated aluminum oxide implants. No differences in mobility or soft tissue characteristics were noted for the three implant systems. Two implants both in the same animal--one LTI carbon and one uncoated aluminum oxide--were definite clinical failures. The results of the study indicate that an elastic modulus mismatch between implant and bone is not an a priori cause of implant failure and that the implant surface composition had little apparent effect on the clinical and radiographic performance of these implant materials.