Ultrastructural comparisons of ceramic and titanium dental implants in vivo: a scanning electron microscopic study

Identically prepared, screw-type ceramic and titanium endosteal dental implants were inserted in the jaws of adult mongrel dogs for periods of up to 6 months. Sixteen of the 32 total implants supported fixed bridgework. The interface of bone and soft connective tissues with the dental implants was examined by routine and innovative scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques using both secondary and backscattered electron imaging. Results demonstrated excellent bone adaptation to both titanium and ceramic implants. Direct adaptation of bone to the upper third of both type implants was observed with only minimal amounts of any intervening fibrous connective tissue. A composite of trabecular bone and fibrous connective tissue was observed in the lower two-thirds of the implants examined. Areas of bone alteration suggestive of osteoid were observed at the thread apicis of some loaded implants. From this investigation we concluded that similar longitudinal tissue responses were generated to one-piece, cylindrical screw-type titanium and alpha alumina oxide ceramic dental implants. Possible bone remodeling was observed at the thread apicis of the loaded implants, an area where occlusal forces may be distributed. We further suggest that one-stage endosteal implants are capable of maintaining a proportional bone-to-implant interface at the apical support region, similar to that suggested to two-stage implant systems.