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Updated: Mar 14, 2026
Oral Biofilm Formation on Different Materials for Dental Implants
Published on: June 24, 2018
Biological Evaluation of Implant Drill Made from Zirconium Dioxide
Yosuke Akiba1, Kaori Eguchi1, Nami Akiba1
1Division of Bio-prosthodontics, Department of Oral Health Science, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan.
Purpose:
Zirconia is a good candidate material in the dental field. In this study, we evaluated biological responses against a zirconia drill using a bone cavity healing model.
Materials And Methods:
Zirconia drills, stainless steel drills, and the drilled bone surface were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), before and after cavity preparation. For the bone cavity healing model, the upper first and second molars of Wistar rats were extracted. After 4 weeks, cavities were prepared with zirconia drills on the left side. As a control, a stainless steel drill was used on the right side. At 3, 7, and 14 days after surgery, micro-CT images were taken. Samples were prepared for histological staining.
Results:
SEM images revealed that zirconia drills maintained sharpness even after 30 drilling procedures. The bone surface was smoother with the zirconia drill. Micro-CT images showed faster and earlier bone healing in the zirconia drill cavity. On H-E staining, at 7 days, the zirconia drill defect had a smaller blank lacunae area. At 14 days, the zirconia drill defect was filled with newly formed bone.
Conclusions:
The zirconia drill induces less damage during cavity preparation and is advantageous for bone healing. (197 words).
