Effect of Hydroxyapatite/β-Tricalcium Phosphate on Osseointegration after Implantation into Mouse Maxilla

In our previous study we established an animal model for immediately placed implants using mice and clarified that there were no significant differences in the chronological healing process at the bone-implant interface between immediately and delayed placed implants blasted with hydroxyapatite (HA)/β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) (ratio 1:4). This study aimed to analyze the effects of HA/β-TCP on osseointegration at the bone-implant interface after immediately placed implants in the maxillae of 4-week-old mice. Right maxillary first molars were extracted and cavities were prepared with a drill and titanium implants, blasted with or without HA/β-TCP, were placed. The fixation was followed-up at 1, 5, 7, 14, and 28 days after implantation, and the decalcified samples were embedded in paraffin and prepared sections were processed for immunohistochemistry using anti-osteopontin (OPN) and Ki67 antibodies, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase histochemistry. The undecalcified sample elements were quantitatively analyzed by an electron probe microanalyzer. Bone formation occurred on the preexisting bone surface (indirect osteogenesis) and on the implant surface (direct osteogenesis), indicating that osseointegration was achieved until 4 weeks post-operation in both of the groups. In the non-blasted group, the OPN immunoreactivity at the bone-implant interface was significantly decreased compared with the blasted group at week 2 and 4, as well as the rate of direct osteogenesis at week 4. These results suggest that the lack of HA/β-TCP on the implant surface affects the OPN immunoreactivity on the bone-implant interface, resulting in decreased direct osteogenesis following immediately placed titanium implants.