Effect of nanoscale topography of titanium implants on bone vessel network, osteocytes, and mineral densities

Chemical and physical properties of an implant surface have a major influence on the structure of peri-implant bone and thus may influence the clinical performance of the implant. This study aims to evaluate the bone microstructure around implants with and without added nanometer-sized calcium phosphate particles.

An implant with dual acid-etched surface (control) and an implant with dual acid-etched surface and CaP nanoparticles (test) were placed in the posterior maxilla of 15 patients. Bone microstructure was evaluated for osteocyte density (OD), bone vessel volume density (BVVD), and bone mineral density (BMD).

BVVD was 1.806 ± 0.05 for test implants and 1.533 ± 0.10 for control implants (P <0.001). BMDlow was 17.4 × 10(4) µm(2) for test implants and 15.0 × 10(4) µm(2) for control implants (P = 0.025). Results from the BMDhigh comparison, test versus control, were not statistically significant (P >0.05). OD was 575.6 ± 63.7 mm(2) for test implants and 471.2 ± 61.9 mm(2) for control implants (P <0.001).

After 8 weeks of healing, the bone microstructure around test implants appeared to be significantly more organized. Clinical implications of these results include shortened healing time and indication for earlier loading protocols.