title: Evaluation of nano-technology-modified zirconia oral implants: a study in rabbits.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Jaebum
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Janet H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sieweke
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schüpbach
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.forename: Cristiano
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Susin
authors.forename: Ulf M E
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Wikesjö
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; C009495:titanium dioxide; C020243:calcium phosphate; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium