Immediate loading of modular transitional implants: a histologic and histomorphometric study in dogs

Modular Transitional Implants (MTI) are made from pure titanium and are used to support fixed provisional restorations during the osseointegration of definitive implants. This study histologically examined the jaw response to loaded MTIs in the dog mandible. Three implants were inserted transmucosally into each side of the mandible in 3 dogs. Stability was examined using a Periotest. Anterior and posterior implants were splinted using a cemented acrylic resin fixed partial denture to allow immediate loading. The middle implant remained unloaded and was used as a control. Dogs were sacrificed 11 to 12 weeks after implantation, and tissue blocks containing the implants were removed. Histologic examination showed that 10 of the 18 implants had good bone-to-implant contact, with the percentage of bone contacting the threaded portion of the implant varying from 30% to 65%. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.1) in percentage of bone-to-metal contact between loaded and unloaded implants. Six implants were entirely surrounded by connective tissue with or without inflammation; two implants were lost during the study. The success rate did not differ between loaded and unloaded implants. In the successful implants trabecular bone made good contact with the implant, forming supporting struts. There was bone remodeling in some bone-to-metal contact areas. It is believed that success was mainly influenced by the initial bone density at the implant site and by the uncontrolled load that the animals applied to the implants during the early healing stage.