Clinical evaluation data from a comparative dental implant investigation in dogs

This report presents one-year clinical evaluation data from 120 ceramic and titanium cylindrical and titanium blade-type implants placed in the mandibles of 30 adult dogs. Ninety-six of the implants supported fixed bridges. The bone and gingival health was evaluated by the following indices: crevicular fluid volume index; gingival bleeding index; plaque accumulation index; clinical mobility index; and a quantitative mobility index utilizing the Periotest instrument. Results from this investigation suggest that, overall, the ceramic implants exhibited more fractures and had more mobile implants than did the titanium implant systems. Overall, complete one-year clinical evaluation data demonstrate healthy tissue responses to 112 of the 120 implants. Further, the Periotest instrument appears to offer a more quantitative assessment of clinical mobility. Also, it appears that the clinical evaluation protocol utilized in this study is a valid procedure to use for the assessment of clinical serviceability.