Osseointegration of Grit-Blasted and Bioactive Titanium Implants: Histomorphometry in Minipigs

摘要

In order to improve osseointegration of commercially pure titanium implants one of the main influencing factors is surface quality, which refers to their topographical and physicochemical features. A new two-step (2S) surface treatment has been previously developed. The method consists of 1) grit blasting the surface in order to roughen it and 2) thermochemical treatment in order to obtain a bioactive metal surface. This new 2S-treatment has been in vivo evaluated and compared with as-machined (Ctr), acid etched (E) and grit-blasted (R) implants by means of an histomorphometric quantification (percentage of the total implant surface in direct contact with new bone) after 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks of implantation into the mandibles of minipigs. The results showed that the rough and bioactive-c.p. Ti implants obtained by a new two-step surface treatment accelerate their osseointegration compared to grit-blasted, acid etched and as-machined implants, which make them preferential candidates as immediate-loaded dentalimplants. These implants developed in vivo onto their surfaces a layer of a calcium phosphate, which is probably apatite.