Qualitative Analysis of Bone-Implant Interface After Implant Placement with Condensation Technique in Vitro

To examine the presence of titanium (Ti) nanoparticles at the bone-implant interface during implant placement using the bone condensation technique in vitro.

Artificial Type 4 bone slices (4 mm thick) were securely held in place with a vise, and two groups of implants were placed. In the test group, implants were placed using the condensation technique with cylindrical osteotomes. In the control group, implants were placed following the traditional surgical protocol. Implants were placed in parallel between the bone slices held in the vise. Further, three groups of implant designs (six implants in each group) were placed into the bone. Two implant designs consisted of implants made of pure Ti (grade 4), while the third implant design group was constructed of Ti alloy (Ti6Al4V). Subsequently, the blocks were separated, and the peri-implant bone interface was qualitatively evaluated for Ti presence using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry at the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of osteotomies (n = 12 per implant system). A descriptive statistical analysis showing the mean values (± SD) of Ti nanoparticles was performed.

No detectable Ti levels were identified in the control group of Ti-alloy implants compared to pure-Ti implants. In contrast, the test group for all implant systems showed the presence of Ti nanoparticles in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds.

The present results indicate that the bone condensation technique is associated with Ti release during implant placement in vitro. These findings were shown for both pure-Ti and Ti-alloy dental implants.