Evaluation of nano-technology-modified zirconia oral implants: a study in rabbits.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to screen candidate nano-technology-modified, micro-structured zirconia implant surfaces relative to local bone formation and osseointegration.


METHODS
Proprietary nano-technology surface-modified (calcium phosphate: CaP) micro-structured zirconia implants (A and C), control micro-structured zirconia implants (ZiUnite), and titanium porous oxide implants (TiUnite) were implanted into the femoral condyle in 40 adult male New Zealand White rabbits. Each animal received one implant in each hind leg; thus, 20 animals received A and C implants and 20 animals received ZiUnite and TiUnite implants in contralateral hind legs. Ten animals/group were euthanized at weeks 3 and 6 when biopsies of the implant sites were processed for histometric analysis using digital photomicrographs produced using backscatter scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
The TiUnite surface demonstrated significantly greater bone-implant contact (BIC) (77.6+/-2.6%) compared with the A (64.6+/-3.6%) and C (62.2+/-3.1%) surfaces at 3 weeks (p<0.05). Numerical differences between ZiUnite (70.5+/-3.1%) and A and C surfaces did not reach statistical significance (p>0.05). Similarly, there were non-significant differences between the TiUnite and the ZiUnite surfaces (p>0.05). At 6 weeks, there were no significant differences in BIC between the TiUnite (67.1+/-4.2%), ZiUnite (69.7+/-5.7%), A (68.6+/-1.9%), and C (64.5+/-4.1%) surfaces (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
TiUnite and ZiUnite implant surfaces exhibit high levels of osseointegration that, in this model, confirm their advanced osteoconductive properties. Addition of CaP nano-technology to the ZiUnite surface does not enhance the already advanced osteoconductivity displayed by the TiUnite and ZiUnite implant surfaces.
Lee
Jaebum
J
Laboratory for Applied Periodontal & Craniofacial Regeneration, Department of Periodontics & Oral Biology, Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. Jaelee@mcg.edu
Sieweke
Janet H
JH
Rodriguez
Nancy A
NA
Schüpbach
Peter
P
Lindström
Håkan
H
Susin
Cristiano
C
Wikesjö
Ulf M E
UM
D000818:Animals; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000737:chemistry; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000295:instrumentation; D015921:Dental Implants; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; C009495:titanium dioxide; C020243:calcium phosphate; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium