The osseointegration properties of titanium implants with hydroxyapatite submicron-scale features in the rabbit tibia

The objective of this study was to biomechanically and histologically assess the stability and integration of titanium implants that include hydroxyapatite based submicron-scale features. Thirty-four 3.4 mm × 6.5 mm implants, equally split between test (grit blasted, etched, and submicron scale deposition) and control (grit blasted and etched) groups, were placed in the tibiae of New Zealand White rabbits. At 3-weeks follow-up, the group with the submicron deposition showed significantly improved bone response compared with the control group. The test group required higher removal torque values, with its post-torque histology demonstrating both enhanced bone formation and an intact interface indicative of a robust bone-to-implant bond.