Comparison of osseointegration between hydroxyapatite-coated and uncoated threaded titanium dental implants placed...

The purpose of this study was to compare the degree of osseointegration between hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated and uncoated threaded titanium dental implants placed into a surgically created bone defect with or without an expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE) membrane. A conventional implant site was prepared and either a HA-coated or an uncoated implant was placed in each tibia of 12 rabbits (conventional group). A bone defect approximately 3 mm in width was created on the distal end of the conventional site and either a HA-coated or an uncoated implant was placed there (bone defect group). For another group, the same procedure was performed as in the bone defect group, except the implant sites were covered with ePTFE membranes (ePTFE group). After 4 months, the rabbits were sacrificed. Specimens were prepared and examined histometrically. The results demonstrated that HA-coated threaded titanium dental implants consistently showed a greater amount of osseointegrated surface either in the conventional site or defect region with and without ePTFE membranes in this animal model. In conclusion, a HA-coated threaded titanium implant may be the choice of dental implants to establish greater osseointegration with the defect or conventional site.