Histomorphometric assessment of implant coated with mixture of nano-alumina and fluorapatite in rabbits

Abstract

BackgroundThe application of nanoscale surface modification was found to be useful in the improvement of osseointegration of endosseous dental implants. The fluorapatite (FA)/alumina (Al2O3) mixture is recognized for its outstanding bioinertia and can significantly increase the biocompatibility and bioactivity of biomaterials. ObjectiveThe aim of the present work was to evaluate the bone response to nano-alumina- and fluorapatite-coated dental implants using rabbit tibiae. Material and MethodsThe coating was performed using the dip-coating method. Commercially pure titanium screw-type implants were used as a control group. The coated implants were the experimental group. Each group consisted of 12 screws that were surgically implanted in 6 healthy New Zealand rabbits. Histological and histomorphometric evaluations were performed at the bone to implant contact (BIC) interface, bone fraction area occupancy (BAFO) and fibrous tissue at 2 and 6 weeks of healing. ResultsThis analysis showed that the coated implants had more rapid osseointegration than the control group, with a significant difference after 2 and 6 weeks of healing for both groups. The histomorphometric evaluation demonstrated higher values for BIC% and BAFO% and lower values of fibrous tissue in the mixture-coated Ti implants than in the control group. ConclusionThe current study suggested that the nano-alumina and fluorapatite mixture coating is a favourable candidate for rapid osseointegration over uncoated implants.