The zirconia implant-bone interface: a preliminary histologic evaluation in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
Zirconia ceramics, a biocompatible material with favorable mechanical properties, has been suggested for use in the manufacture of dental implants instead of the commonly used titanium. Not much data exist on the early healing response around zirconia dental implants. The aim of this study was to give a descriptive histologic assessment of the degree of early bone apposition around zirconia dental implants at 2 and 4 weeks after insertion compared to surface-modified titanium implants.


METHODS
Four zirconia and 4 titanium implants were placed in New Zealand white male rabbits. One implant was inserted in the condyle of each distal femur. Specimens were harvested at 2 and 4 weeks and processed with light microscopic analysis. The area of bone-implant contact was evaluated histomorphometrically.


RESULTS
A high degree of bone apposition could be observed on all implants at both time points. Differences in the percentage of implant surface covered with bone were noted between the 2 time points, with comparable results for the 2 materials.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this limited histologic study demonstrate a similar rate of bone apposition on zirconia and surface-modified titanium implant surfaces during early healing. To confirm these results, further studies need to be conducted, involving larger sample size at more time points.
Hoffmann
Oliver
O
Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, CA 92350, USA. o_c_g_hoffmann@yahoo.com
Angelov
Nikola
N
Gallez
Fabrice
F
Jung
Ronald E
RE
Weber
Franz E
FE
D000818:Animals; D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D016348:Osseointegration; D011817:Rabbits; D014025:Titanium; D015040:Zirconium
D015921:Dental Implants; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium; C028541:zirconium oxide