Osseointegration properties of niobia-modified yttria-stabilized zirconia implant surface: an in vivo study

This study aimed to assess the osseointegration effects of niobia-modified yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia ((Y,Nb)-TZP) implants, compared to titanium implants and 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (3Y-TZP) implants in a rabbit tibia model.

Sandblasted (Y,Nb)-TZP implants (YNb), sandblasted and acid-etched titanium implants (SLA), and smooth-surface 3D-printed 3Y-TZP implants (3Y) were prepared. Surface characteristics of the specimens were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Implants were inserted into the tibiae of 16 rabbits, with eight rabbits euthanized at each time point (2 and 6 weeks). To estimate periodic bone remodeling, tetracycline and xylenol orange were administered to the rabbits euthanized at 6 weeks. Undecalcified specimens were prepared to measure the periodic bone remodeling ratio (PBR), bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area (BA). Data analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc analysis and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test at a significance level of 0.05.

At both the 2-week and 6-week intervals, YNb group exhibited significantly higher BIC values than the SLA and 3Y groups. No significant differences (P > .05) were found in PBR and BA across all comparisons.

Sandblasted (Y,Nb)-TZP implants indicated superior osseointegration in comparison to SLA titanium and smooth-surface 3D-printed 3Y-TZP implants. The enhanced osseointegration observed in this study supports the clinical potential of (Y,Nb)-TZP as a next-generation zirconia implant material.