Adaptive bone remodeling around oral implants under axial and nonaxial loading conditions in the dog mandible

An experimental animal model is presented for the analysis of the influence of axial and nonaxial loading on bone remodeling around oral implants. Axial and nonaxial loading conditions were introduced by placing a bilaterally supported fixed partial prosthesis and a cantilever fixed partial prosthesis on two IMZ implants in the mandibles of beagle dogs. Quantitative and qualitative histologic analyses revealed different remodeling tendencies between the loading conditions. Axial loading induced a more uniform, histologically quiescent remodeling response that gradually decreased from the coronal aspect to the apex of the implant. Nonaxial loading elicited a more dynamic remodeling of the surrounding cortical and especially trabecular bone tissue.