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Multi-Scale Modification of Metallic Implants With Pore Gradients, Polyelectrolytes and Their Indirect Monitoring In vivo
Published on: July 1, 2013
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Comparison between bone-implant interfaces of microtopographically modified zirconia and titanium implants
Myint Kyaw Thu1, Young Suk Kang2, Jeong Min Kwak1
1Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, 101, Daehak-ro, Jongro-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
Scientific Reports
|July 10, 2023
Summary
Injection-molded zirconia implants show comparable bone integration to titanium implants, suggesting their potential as reliable dental alternatives. Surface treatments did not significantly impact bone-to-implant contact or bone area in this study.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Implantology
- Orthopedic Research
Background:
- Titanium implants are conventional for dental and orthopedic applications.
- Zirconia implants offer a metal-free alternative with potential biocompatibility advantages.
- Surface characteristics significantly influence osseointegration and implant success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare surface characteristics and bone-implant interfaces of injection-molded zirconia implants with and without surface treatment against conventional titanium implants.
- To evaluate the osseointegration potential of different implant surface topographies.
- To assess the reliability of injection-molded zirconia as a dental implant material.
Main Methods:
- Four implant groups were prepared: injection-molded zirconia (IM ZrO2), sandblasted zirconia (IM ZrO2-S), turned titanium (Ti-turned), and sandblasted/acid-etched titanium (Ti-SLA).
- Surface topography was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy.
- Histomorphometric analysis in rabbit tibiae assessed bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BA) after 10 and 28 days.
Main Results:
- Ti-SLA exhibited the highest surface roughness, followed by IM ZrO2-S, IM ZrO2, and Ti-turned.
- No statistically significant differences in BIC or BA were observed among the four groups.
- Histomorphometric analysis indicated comparable osseointegration across all tested implant types.
Conclusions:
- Injection-molded zirconia implants, with or without sandblasting, demonstrate reliable osseointegration comparable to titanium implants.
- Zirconia implants present a viable, predictable alternative to titanium for clinical dental applications.
- Surface treatments on zirconia implants did not yield significantly different bone responses in this rabbit model.
