Effect of doxycycline-treated hydroxyapatite surface on bone apposition: A histomophometric study in murine maxillae

Improved osseointegration of dental implants is imperative in clinic. Effect of doxycycline on promoting bone formation after implant placement was expected due to its inhibitory properties on inflammation and osteoclastogenesis. To evaluate new bone formation on the hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated implant surface, which was treated with doxycycline, in comparison with the untreated HA surface, half of the HA-coated implants were soaked in doxycycline solution (DOX group) whereas the other HA-coated implants were untreated (HA group). Eight weeks after extracting the maxillary first molars of 4-week-old male mice, the implants of both groups were placed at the extracted site. 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, the samples were evaluated radiologically and histomorphometrically. Bone-implant contact of DOX group was statistically higher than the one of HA group at 4 and 8 weeks. New bone area between the threads of the implants also statistically increased at 8 weeks in DOX group compared to HA group.