Histological findings of bone remodeling around smooth dental titanium implants inserted in rabbit's tibias

Nowadays, there are many kinds of implants with different covering layers. The aim of these wide spectra is to discover the material that has the best possible biocompatibility. The presence of so many kinds of covering layers indicates that this aim has not been reached until now. The implant anchorage in the bone is very important for the stability of the element that has to support much pressure when under use. As it is known, the implant/bone interface does not present the ideal result expected by all professionals. In the laboratory there are possibilities of researching many kinds of implants--under different techniques of insertion. This will lead to the best methods and materials available. Titanium is the basic material used by many authors and needs no further discussion. So far it is the material with the best biocompatibility. The aim of this work is to observe and study the bone healing in the interface between a titanium implant and bone under light microscopic technique. Commercial pure titanium implants with a smooth surface were inserted in rabbit's tibias where they remained for eight weeks. The amount of bone inside the implant threads was quantified by the use of a stereologic method. The histological results indicated that an intense remodeling process of the cortical bone was found close to the implant surface and in the stereometry a higher amount of the new bone formation was also observed in the cortical tibia at the implant/bone interface.