Mineralized Tissue Formation Associated With 2 Different Dental Implant Designs: Histomorphometric Analyses Performed in Dogs

Abstract

The clinical success of dental implants might be associated with such factors as installation technique, implant shape, size, material, and screw threads. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze mineralized tissue formation on the screw threads of conical and cylindrical dental implants. This study includes 7 beagle dogs that had the lower premolars extracted. Three months after bone and soft tissue repair, 2 different designs of dental implants (1 conical and 1 cylindrical) were installed in each hemimandible using a nonsubmerged technique. Both implants when installed had different shape and thread, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Six weeks after implant installation, animals were killed and submitted to histomorphometric analysis. Cervical, middle, and apical areas were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student t test at a significance level of P < .05. Statistically significant differences were not found between the conical and cylindrical implants. The conical implants presented fewer threads, a smaller area, and more bone formation when compared with the cylindrical ones, without significant differences (P = .1226). The highest values concerning bone formation were observed for the cervical area (P = .4005), and the lowest for the apical area (P = .1899); however, no statistically significant difference was observed. In conclusion, no statistically significant difference was observed in thread bone formation between the cylindrical and conical implant designs when placed using the nonsubmerged technique.