Titanium Plasma-sprayed Implants Research Articles

202. In vivo analysis of wear debris produced from titanium plasma-sprayed implants: A microcomputed tomographic investigation

202. In vivo analysis of wear debris produced from titanium plasma-sprayed implants: A microcomputed tomographic investigation

Biomechanics of unilateral and bilateral sacroiliac joint stabilization: laboratory investigation.

OBJECTIVE Bilateral symptoms have been reported in 8%-35% of patients with sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction. Stabilization of a single SI joint may significantly alter the stresses on the contralateral SI joint. If the contralateral SI joint stresses are significantly increased, degeneration may occur; alternatively, if the stresses are significantly reduced, bilateral stabilization may be unnecessary for patients with bilateral symptoms. The biomechanical effects of 1) unilateral stabilization on the contralateral SI joint and 2) bilateral stabilization on both SI joints are currently unknown. The objectives of this study were to characterize bilateral SI joint range of motion (ROM) and evaluate and compare the biomechanical effects of unilateral and bilateral implant placement for SI joint fusion. METHODS A lumbopelvic model (L5-pelvis) was used to test the ROM of both SI joints in 8 cadavers. A single-leg stance setup was used to load the lumbar spine and measure the ROM of each SI joint in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Both joints were tested 1) while intact, 2) after unilateral stabilization, and 3) after bilateral stabilization. Stabilization consisted of lateral transiliac placement of 3 triangular titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants. RESULTS Intact testing showed that during single-leg stance the contralateral SI joint had less ROM in flexion-extension (27%), lateral bending (32%), and axial rotation (69%) than the loaded joint. Unilateral stabilization resulted in significant reduction of flexion-extension ROM (46%) on the treated side; no significant ROM changes were observed for the nontreated side. Bilateral stabilization resulted in significant reduction of flexion-extension ROM of the primary (45%) and secondary (75%) SI joints. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that during single-leg loading the ROMs for the stance (loaded) and swing (unloaded) SI joints are significantly different. Unilateral stabilization for SI joint dysfunction significantly reduces the ROM of the treated side, but does not significantly reduce the ROM of the nontreated contralateral SI joint. Bilateral stabilization is necessary to significantly reduce the ROM for both SI joints.

The Effect of Osteopontin and an Osteopontin-Derived Synthetic Peptide Coating on Osseointegration of Implants in a Canine Model.

Osteopontin (OPN) and an OPN-derived synthetic peptide, OC-1016, have demonstrated their potential to enhance osseointegration in vitro. The purpose of this study was to evaluate bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and surrounding bone density (BD) of implants coated with either recombinant human OPN (rhOPN) or OC-1016 as compared with noncoated titanium plasma sprayed (TPS) surface in a canine model. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that at 4 weeks, %BIC and %BD of coated implants were significantly higher than those of noncoated TPS implants. At 12 weeks, %BIC of coated implants was also significantly higher than that of noncoated implants; however, there was no statistically significant difference in %BD. The rhOPN and OC-1016 were concluded to be capable of significantly accelerating the early stage of osseointegration and bone healing around implants.

Conservative Implant Removal for the Analysis of the Cause, Removal Torque, and Surface Treatment of Failed Nonmobile Dental Implants.

This study was performed to study the effect of implant surface treatment on the cause and removal torque of failed nonmobile implants. Implant explantation was achieved by the application of countertorque at the implant-bone interface. The explantation socket was examined carefully and curetted to remove any granulation tissue. Immediate implant placement was accomplished when primary stability could be achieved. Eighty-one patients were treated according to the described treatment protocol for the explantation of 158 nonmobile implants in the maxilla and the mandible. The patient's mean age was 62 ± 11 years. The main cause of implant explantation was peri-implantitis (131 implants; 82.9%) followed by malpositioning of the implants (22 implants; 13.9%). The explantation of 139 implants at 146 ± 5 Ncm was performed without the need for trephine bur. However, the use of trephine burs to cut into the first 3 to 4 mm was necessary in 19 explantations, and the removal torque was 161 ± 13 Ncm. All titanium plasma-sprayed implants were removed due to peri-implantitis at a significantly lower torque when compared to acid-etched, particle-blasted, and oxidized implants. The postoperative recovery of the patients was uneventful and the conservation of the available hard and soft tissues was successfully achieved. The protocol followed in this study could constitute a real alternative to other traumatic technique for the removal of failed implants and advanced stages of peri-implantitis. The type of implant surface treatment could influence the value of removal torque and the occurrence of peri-implantitis.

A 5‐Year Prospective Multicenter Clinical Trial of Non‐Submerged Dental Implants With a Titanium Plasma‐Sprayed Surface in 200 Patients

Endosseous dental implants are a popular treatment to replace missing teeth. Although many advances have occurred and affected the macrogeometry and surface characteristics of dental implants, among other aspects, it is important to document how the implants perform in patients over time. Such evaluations are helpful not only to document the clinical survival of the implants but also patient satisfaction over an extended period. A formal prospective multicenter human clinical was performed at five centers involving 200 patients and 626 implants. Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used and detailed data collected at specified times using case report forms. An independent study monitor reviewed all study data before entry into the study database. Two implant designs were used in two different clinical indications. A non-submerged titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) hollow cylindrical implant with a smooth transgingival collar was evaluated in the maxillary anterior sextant and a non-submerged TPS solid screw implant with similar collar in the mandible. Over the course of the 5-year clinical trial, there was one early failure occurring before definitive prosthesis delivery. Three late failures were documented, one occurring at each of the 6, 12, and 18 months postoperative visits. Life table analysis at 5 years revealed a 99.4% survival rate and a 92.5% success rate. Patient satisfaction was rated as good to excellent for 96.1% of implants in regards to esthetics after 5 years; 98.8% for appearance; and 99.4% for prosthesis comfort, ability to chew and taste, fit, and general satisfaction. No serious adverse events were reported. Implant success and survival was over 92% and 99%, respectively, in a formal 5-year prospective multicenter clinical trial involving 200 patients and 626 non-submerged TPS implants. These implants included hollow cylinder implants in the anterior maxilla and solid screw implants placed in the mandible. These findings document the predictability and patient satisfaction of tooth replacement using a non-submerged surgical technique involving a tissue-level, rough surfaced endosseous dental implant.

Effects of Installation Depth on Survival of an Hydroxyapatite-Coated Bicon Implant for Single-Tooth Restoration

The present retrospective study evaluated various implant surface factors associated with Bicon implant survival for single-tooth restoration in the healthy individual. A retrospective cohort study design was used. A total of 613 Bicon (Bicon System, Boston, MA) implants (272 patients) were included. Because the use of hydroxyapatite (HA) coating has been controversial, the surface type was chosen according to the patient's preference. A total of 308 HA-coated implants and 305 titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants were used. The macroanatomy of both implant types was identical. Patients who had systemic disease, poor quality bone, or removable prosthetics were excluded from the present study. A chart review was conducted to record age, gender, implant diameter, implant length, installation depth, installation location, and the use of bone grafting. Implant failure was recorded, and the data were analyzed using the chi(2) test and logistic regression analysis. The installation depth was an important prognostic factor in the HA-coated implants. The failure rate for the HA-coated implants installed at margin level and 2 mm below level was 10.29% and 3.01%, respectively (chi(2) = 6.035, P = .014). The implant length was an important prognostic factor for the TPS-treated implants. The failure rate recorded for the TPS-treated implants installed with a length of less than 10 mm and 10 mm or longer was 15.46% and 2.40%, respectively (chi(2) = 18.414, P < .001). Many factors can influence the failure rate of TPS and HA-coated Bicon implants. Among these, installation depth played an especially significant role in the success of HA-coated Bicon implants in the present study.

Comparative histomorphometry and resonance frequency analysis of implants with moderately rough surfaces in a loaded animal model

Test of favourable conditions for osseointegration with respect to optimum bone-implant contact (BIC) in a loaded animal model. The varied parameters were surface roughness and surface topography of commercially available dental implants. Thirty-two implants of six types of macro and microstructure were included in the study (total 196). The different types were: minimally rough control: Branemark machined Mk III; oxidized surface: TiUnite MkIII and MkIV; ZL Ticer; blasted and etched surface: Straumann SLA; rough control: titanium plasma sprayed (TPS). Sixteen beagle dogs were implanted with the whole set of the above implants. After a healing period of 8 weeks, implants were loaded for 3 months. For the evaluation of the BIC areas, adequately sectioned biopsies were visualized by subsurface scans with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The primary statistical analysis testing BIC of the moderately rough implants (mean 56.1+/-13.0%) vs. the minimally rough and the rough controls (mean 53.9+/-11.2%) does not reveal a significant difference (P=0.57). Mean values of 50-70% BIC were found for all implant types. Moderately rough oxidized implants show a median BIC, which is 8% higher than their minimally rough turned counterpart. The intraindividual difference between the TPS and the blasted and etched counterparts revealed no significant difference. The turned and the oxidized implants show median values of the resonance frequency [implant stability quotients (ISQ)] over 60; the nonself-tapping blasted and etched and TPS implants show median values below 60. In conclusion, the benefit of rough surfaces relative to minimally rough ones in this loaded animal model was confirmed histologically. The comparison of different surface treatment modalities revealed no significant differences between the modern moderately rough surfaces. Resonance frequency analysis seems to be influenced in a major part by the transducer used, thus prohibiting the comparison of different implant systems.

Destination of titanium particles detached from titanium plasma sprayed implants

Small titanium particles may detach from titanium plasma sprayed (TPS) implants during implant insertion, when no preliminary tapping is used, probably for the frictional force between titanium coating and host bone. Aim of this study was to investigate the destination of these titanium particles observed in the peri-implant environment. Twenty-four TPS screws were implanted in tibiae of two sheep. Fourteen and 90 days after implantation the implants with the surrounding bone were removed and processed to be analyzed by light microscope and scanning electron microscope (secondary electron and back-scattered electron probes). Small titanium particles detached from the unloaded TPS implants were observed both in the newly-formed bone matrix and in marrow tissue. Histomorphometric analysis showed that both at 14 and 90 days after implantation the titanium particles appeared more concentrated in marrow tissue than in calcified bone matrix, decreasing by 66.4% over time. In particular, smaller particles (<250 μm 2) decreased by 81.5%, whereas the larger ones (250–2000 μm 2) did not show any significant variations over time, suggesting that most of the smaller particles may undergo to ionic dissolution, probably migrating into the peri-implant marrow lacunae. A slight migration of titanium particles from the implant surface towards the more distant peri-implant tissues was also demonstrated over time.

Maintenance of Osseointegration Utilizing Insulin Therapy in a Diabetic Rat Model

Normal wound healing processes have been shown to be altered in diabetes, and the effect of the diabetes on bone-to-implant contact (BIC) once osseointegration has been established is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to histologically evaluate the bone-to-implant contact in uncontrolled and insulin-controlled rats in which diabetes was induced following the establishment of osseointegration. Thirty-two rats were assigned to eight different treatment groups of four each. Titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants were placed in the femora of each animal, and allowed to osseointegrate for 28 days before diabetic induction. Daily insulin injections were given to four groups of rats and the other four groups received no insulin (uncontrolled). The rats were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 months following diabetic induction. The results indicated that at 1, 2, 3, and 4 months, there was more BIC in the insulin-controlled groups compared to the uncontrolled groups. The differences were significantly greater at 2, 3, and 4 months (P < or =0.001). This study demonstrated that osseointegrated dental implants in insulin-controlled diabetic rats maintained bone-to-implant contacts over a 4-month period. However, boneto- implant contact appears to decrease with time in uncontrolled diabetic rats.

Modulating the Effects of Diabetes on Osseointegration With Aminoguanidine and Doxycycline

The current knowledge of wound healing around implant surfaces is quite limited, particularly as it relates to the effects of systemic diseases such as diabetes. The purpose of our research is to histologically evaluate the effects of aminoguanidine and doxycycline in the modification of peri-implant wound healing around endosseous implants in diabetic rats. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four different treatment groups. One group served as the non-diabetic control, while diabetes was induced in other groups. Titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants were placed in the femora of each animal 2 weeks following diabetic induction. One group of diabetic rats was given aminoguanidine via intraperitoneal injection, and another given doxycycline via oral gavage for 28 days beginning on the day of implantation. The third group of diabetic rats received no medication (controls). All animals were sacrificed following 28 days of healing. The results were measured by marrow bone-to implant contact (MBIC) between the groups. Values for MBIC were greater for the non-diabetic control group than the diabetic control group (P < 0.001). Aminoguanidine-treated diabetic animals had a significantly greater MBIC than the diabetic control group (P < 0.01). Diabetic animals receiving doxycycline did not differ significantly from the diabetic control group (P > 0.05). The results of this study using a rat model con- firm previous reports that diabetes inhibits osseointegration, as defined by MBIC. In addition, this study demonstrates that the detrimental effects of diabetes on osseointegration can be modified using aminoguanidine systemically. However, systemic administration of doxycycline only slightly enhances osseointegration.

Randomized multicenter comparison of 2 IMZ and 4 TPS screw implants supporting bar-retained overdentures in 425 edentulous mandibles

Two treatment concepts for implant-supported bar retention of mandibular overdentures—2 intramobile cylinder (IMZ) implants and a Dolder bar and 4 titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) screw implants and an angulated bar—were compared in a randomized controlled clinical trial with respect to postprosthetic efficacy and safety. Four hundred twenty-five patients with edentulous mandibles were enrolled; 212 were randomized to TPS implants (control group) and 213 to IMZ implants (test group). Endpoints were occurrences of postprosthetic integration deficiency (ID), functional deficiency (FD), and complications. The trial was sized to detect a 10% difference in 5-year ID-free postprosthetic system lifetime with a power of 80%. With 340 protocol-completed cases, the trial achieved its predetermined power. The 2 systems did not show statistically significant differences in occurrences of postprosthetic ID and FD; 5-year occurrence-free postprosthetic system lifetime probabilities were estimated as 42.5% with IMZ and 42.8% with TPS, for ID; and as 82.6% with IMZ and 87.2% with TPS, for FD. However, at 3 to 6 months after surgery, mean Periotest values were significantly higher (P=.0001 without adjustment) with IMZ implants (5.6, SD 4.2) than with TPS implants (0.8, SD 4.3). TPS implants showed a higher incidence of inflammation and recession, while IMZ implants had a higher incidence of implant fracture after functional loading. The system- wise approach overcomes potential bias with implant-wise analyses. A combination of radiographic and clinical criteria distinguishes between desirable integration and functional anchorage. The in situ survival rates at 5 years in this study (95% for IMZ, 92% for TPS) match rates reported in the literature. This study demonstrated equivalent efficacy of 2 IMZ cylinders and 4 TPS screws in implant-supported, bar-retained mandibular overdentures and indicated a higher rate of complications with the TPS screw implants.—Reprinted with permission of Quintessence Publishing.

Evaluation of titanium plasma-sprayed and plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite implants in vivo

In this study, bone interfacial strength and bone contact length at the plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) and titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants were evaluated in vivo. Non-coated titanium (Ti) implants were used as controls. Cylindrical coated or non-coated implants (4.0 mm diameter by 8 mm long) were implanted in the dogs’ mandibles. Loading of the implants was performed at 12 weeks after implantation. At 12 weeks after implantation (prior to loading) and 1 year after loading, implants were evaluated for interfacial bone–implant strength and bone–implant contact length. No significant differences in interfacial bone–implant strength for all groups at 12 weeks after implantation and after 1 year loading in normal bone were found. However, bone contact length for HA implants was significantly higher than the TPS and Ti implants for both periods tested (12 weeks after implantation and 1 year after loading). It was concluded that TPS implants exhibited similar pull-out strength compared to the HA implants. In addition, the lower bone contact length on the TPS surface compared to HA surfaces did not affect the interfacial bone–implant strength for both implants.

Immediate implants covered with connective tissue membranes: human biopsies.

Osseointegration has been shown to occur around implants placed immediately after tooth extraction in humans. To date, such osseointegration has been achieved only with titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants placed in extraction sockets with a bone-to-implant distance of less than 2 mm. In a previous report, when this horizontal defect dimension (HDD) exceeded 2 mm, the resulting percentage of bone-to-implant contact was reduced, indicating that the immediate technique would be limited in most cases to non-molar teeth. In an attempt to improve the bone-to-implant contact and the initial bone-to-implant contact in a vertical dimension, the implant surface, the type of membrane, and the method of membrane placement used in a previous study by our group were modified. Ten large-grit sandblasted, acid-attacked (SLA) titanium implants were placed into immediate extraction sites in 5 patients. HDDs of 0.0 to 1.5 mm (controls), 1.5 to 4.0 mm, and >4.0 mm were used. Following insertion, implants were completely covered with a connective tissue membrane. This was in contrast to the use of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane penetrated by the neck of the implant in our previous report. Primary closure of soft tissue flaps was achieved in each case. Six months after placement, 7 of the implants were histologically examined. Osseointegration occurred across all HDDs, with the percentage of bone-to-implant contact in the 0.0 to 1.5 mm HDDs similar to that seen in the >4.0 mm HDDs. The first bone-to-implant contact measured vertically was similar in both the smaller and larger HDDs. Osseointegration was successful in immediate implant placement sites with horizontal defect dimensions wider than 4 mm in humans when SLA titanium implants were completely covered with connective tissue membranes. It remains undetermined whether the different type of membrane, placement of the membrane, type of implant surface, or a combination of these 3 factors were responsible for the improved osseointegration in HDDs >4 mm. Further study is needed.

Optimization of implant surfaces: titanium plasma spray and acid-etched sandblasting -- current status

The aim of this review was to update the concepts regarding the preparation of the surfaces of titanium implants, focusing on TPS (titanium plasma-sprayed implants) and SLA (sandblasted and acid etched implants). Texture was the most remarkable isolated feature, regarded as an osseointegration promoter. In a comprehensive review of the effects of implant surface topography on cell behavior, one can verify that there is bone apposition onto the implant surface regardless of its characteristics: polished or rough, made of titanium or ceramic. Roughness is not mandatory for bone apposition. However, it has been shown that roughness may play an important role in the percentage of bone apposition as well as in the velocity of apposition. In this review, a quite promising type of surface called SLA is pointed out, showing that either roughness or acid conditioning of the surfaces can significantly improve shear strength. Besides optimizing the procedure, these surface characteristics may, eventually, allow for an earlier loading of the implant and extend the indications for implants in low-density alveolar bone and in regenerated bone.

Immediate postextraction implants: a histologic and histometric analysis in monkeys.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reaction of peri-implant tissues to immediately placed titanium plasma-sprayed implants into extraction sockets. Six macaca fascicularis monkeys were used in the study. A total of 36 titanium plasma-sprayed implants (PHI, Legnano, Italy) were inserted in both arches (18 in the posterior maxilla and 18 in the posterior mandible). The two premolars and the first molars of the maxilla and the mandible of all animals were extracted, and immediate postextraction implants were placed. After a releasing periosteal incision, the flap was coronally repositioned and sutured. No barrier membranes were used, and the only graft material used was autogenous bone chips. The implants were loaded after 2 months. Six months after implant loading, a block section was carried out, the remaining defects were filled with nonresorbable hydroxyapatite, and all 36 implants were retrieved. The implants were treated with the Precise System (Assing, Rome, Italy), to obtain thin ground sections. A total of three slides were cut for each implant and were examined under normal and polarized light. A histomorphometrical analysis was done. All implants were covered by compact, mature bone under examination in light microscopy. A very high bone-implant contact percentage (65-70%) was observed. No bone loss was present after the loading period. These results indicate that implants placed into fresh extraction sites grafted with autogenous bone chips will heal in a predictable way.

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of early loaded free-standing dental implants with various coatings in beagle dogs

Statement of problem. Immediate loading of implants may be a predictable treatment alternative when cross-arch stabilization with a fixed provisional is observed. Purpose. This study investigated the effect of immediate masticatory loading on the stability of single-standing dental implants with 4 different surfaces. Material and methods. A total of 40 solid screw implants (diameter 3.3 mm, length 8 mm) were placed in the mandibles of 4 beagle dogs. Test groups included 3 hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings of titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) implants. Implants with TPS alone served as control. Gold crowns were inserted 2 days after implant placement and the dogs were immediately put on a hard food diet. Implants were followed for 6 months after loading. Clinical and radiographic assessments of implants were performed at time of crown insertion (baseline) and after 1, 3, and 6 months of loading. The Periotest instrument was used for mobility measurements and radiographs were obtained for evaluation of peri-implant radiolucency and measurement of crestal bone changes. Results. Of 40 implants, 39 displayed no discernible mobility, corresponding to successful clinical function. Peri-implant radiolucencies were absent for all but the 1 mobile implant. The reduction in crestal bone levels adjacent to the implants between baseline and 6 months was statistically significant ( P <.0001). No statistically significant differences in crestal bone level changes over time were found between the various coatings demonstrating the absence of a treatment effect initiated by the surface coatings. Conclusion. In this study in beagle dogs, immediate masticatory loading of single-standing dental implants did not jeopardize tissue integration, provided the implants had excellent primary stability. (J Prosthet Dent 1999;82:428-35.)

A 5-year comparison of hydroxyapatite-coated titanium plasma–sprayed and titanium plasma–sprayed cylinder dental implants

Objective. A preliminary report from this study showed that hydroxyapatite-coated (HA) titanium plasma–sprayed (TPS) cylinder implants had fewer failures than TPS cylinder implants before prosthetic loading. The purpose of this article is to report the long-term success associated with the 2 systems. In addition, local and systemic factors that may influence the success or failure of the implants were analyzed. Study Design. Each of 65 subjects was randomized to either HA-coated TPS or TPS cylinder implants. Loss of an implant was considered a failure. Failures were analyzed in terms of the coating of the implant, age and gender of the patient, location and length of the implant, opposing dentition, and smoking status. Data were statistically analyzed through use of chi-quare tests. Results. Of 351 implants that were placed, 13 were lost before prosthetic loading and 17 were lost after prosthetic loading. The overall success rate was 92.8%. Three hundred thirty-eight implants were prosthetically loaded. The implant success rate after prosthetic loading was 95.3%. There was an overall nonsignificant higher failure rate for the TPS implants (8.0%). Patient age and patient gender were nonsignificant variables. Ten-mm implants had a significantly higher failure rate (17.4%; chi-square, 1.00; P = .39). Before prosthetic loading, more implants failed in the posterior mandible; after prosthetic loading, more implants failed in the anterior maxilla (chi-square, 8.97; P = .03). More implants failed when they were opposed by natural dentition or hybrids (chi-square, 7.36; P = .007). Smoking history was a significant factor (chi-square, 5.2; P = .002). Conclusions. Statistically, there is little difference between the 2 systems. Local and systemic factors appear to play a greater role in implant failure than does the surface of the implant. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 1999;87:649-52)

Interface shear strength of titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched surface: a biomechanical study in the maxilla of miniature pigs.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the interface shear strength of unloaded titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surface in the maxilla of miniature pigs. The two best documented surfaces in implant dentistry, the machined and the titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) surfaces served as controls. After 4, 8, and 12 weeks of healing, removal torque testing was performed to evaluate the interface shear strength of each implant type. The results revealed statistically significant differences between the machined and the two rough titanium surfaces (p <.00001). The machined surface demonstrated mean removal torque values (RTV) between 0.13 and 0.26 Nm, whereas the RTV of the two rough surfaces ranged between 1.14 and 1.56 Nm. At 4 weeks of healing, the SLA implants yielded a higher mean RTV than the TPS implants (1.39 vs. 1. 14 Nm) without reaching statistical significance. At 8 and 12 weeks of healing, the two rough surfaces showed similar mean RTVs. The implant position also had a significant influence on removal torques for each implant type primarily owing to differences in density in the periimplant bone structure. It can be concluded that the interface shear strength of titanium implants is significantly influenced by their surface characteristics, since the machined titanium surface demonstrated significantly lower RTV in the maxilla of miniature pigs compared with the TPS and SLA surfaces.

The effect of titanium plasma-sprayed implants on trabecular bone healing in the goat

The bone response to different titanium plasma-sprayed implants was evaluated in a goat model. Therefore, beam-shaped implants were installed into the trabecular femoral condyles of 10 goats. These implants were provided with three different titanium plasma-sprayed coatings (Ti2, Ti3 and Ti4) with a Ra of 16.5, 21.4 and 37.9 μm, respectively. An Al 2O 3 grit-blasted implant (Ti-un) with a Ra of 4.7 μm was used as control. After an implantation period of 3 months, the implants were evaluated histologically and histomorphometrically. Only one implant (Ti3) was not recovered after the evaluation period. Light microscopy showed a limited amount of bone for the various implants. Most of the implants showed a different degree of fibrous tissue alternating with direct bone contact. Complete fibrous encapsulation of the implants was observed in some of the sections. No signs of delamination of the plasma-sprayed coating was visible. No significant difference in bone contact were measured between the different types of implants ( P>0.05). Histomorphometrical analysis revealed significantly higher bone mass close to the implant (0–500 μm) for the Ti3, Ti4 and Ti-un implants placed in the medial femoral condyle and the Ti4 implants placed in the lateral condyle. At distance (500–1500 μm), no difference in bone mass measurements between the different implants was observed ( P>0.05).

Bone response to unloaded and loaded titanium implants with a sandblasted and acid-etched surface: a histometric study in the canine mandible.

Many dental clinical implant studies have focused on the success of endosseous implants with a variety of surface characteristics. Most of the surface alterations have been aimed at achieving greater bone-to-implant contact as determined histometrically at the light microscopic level. A previous investigation in non-oral bone under short-term healing periods (3 and 6 weeks) indicated that a sandblasted and acid-etched titanium (SLA) implant had a greater bone-to-implant contact than did a comparably-shaped implant with a titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS) surface. In this canine mandible study, nonsubmerged implants with a SLA surface were compared to TPS-coated implants under loaded and nonloaded conditions for up to 15 months. Six foxhound dogs had 69 implants placed in an alternating pattern with six implants placed bilaterally in each dog. Gold crowns that mimicked the natural occlusion were fabricated for four dogs. Histometric analysis of bone contact with the implants was made for two dogs after 3 months of healing (unloaded group), 6 months of healing (3 months loaded), and after 15 months of healing (12 months loaded). The SLA implants had a significantly higher (p < 0.001) percentage of bone-to-implant contact than did the TPS implants after 3 months of healing (72.33 +/- 7.16 versus 52.15 +/- 9.19; mean +/- SD). After 3 months of loading (6 months of healing) no significant difference was found between the SLA and TPS surfaced implants (68.21 +/- 10.44 and 78.18 +/- 6.81, respectively). After 12 months of loading (15 months of healing) the SLA implants had a significantly greater percentage (p < 0.001) of bone-to-implant contact than did the TPS implants (71.68 +/- 6.64 and 58.88 +/- 4.62, respectively). No qualitative differences in bone tissue were observed between the two groups of implants nor was there any difference between the implants at the clinical level. These results are consistent with earlier studies on SLA implants and suggest that this surface promotes greater osseous contact at earlier time points compared to TPS-coated implants.