Finite element analysis of bone-adapted and bone-bonded endosseous implants

The use of bioactive coatings on endosseous implants to induce bone bonding to the implants has become popular in recent years. The actual benefit from these coatings, however, remains controversial. This study compared three endosseous implants by using finite element analysis to determine whether bone-bonding or bone-adaptation (osseo-integration) was biomechanically more beneficial. Results indicated that although a bonded interface between an implant and its host tissues may be biochemically beneficial, bone bonding, by any means, may not be biomechanically beneficial to the implant or the surrounding bone. Neither clinicians nor manufacturers should assume that bioactive coatings or bone-bonding in general improve the biomechanical prognoses of endosteal postdental implants.