A comparative pilot study of two dental implant metals in a pig model.
OBJECTIVE
Successful implant treatment is based on implant stability, absence periimplant inflammation, and a functional interface between implant and bone tissue (direct bone-implant contact). The aim of this preliminary study on a pig model was to investigate how implant osseointegration was influenced by a new implant alloy.


METHODS
Cobalt-chrome experimental implants were compared clinically and histologically with titanium implants, after a loaded healing period of 6 months.


RESULTS
The clinical analyses showed absence of mobility, abscesses, or inflammation, whereas the histological analysis showed the apposition of new bone tissue that established a direct contact with implants. The comparison of different implant alloys revealed no statistical differences between the osseointegration process of tested implants and control titanium implants.


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed no significant short-term difference between the use of titanium and a chrome-cobalt alloy in implant effectiveness in the process of osseointegration.
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Brescia, Italy. rodella@med.unibs.it
Luigi F
LF
Rodella
Gaia
G
Favero
Lorenzo
L
Sala
Barbara
B
Buffoli
Giovanni
G
Castelli
Vincenzo
V
Belloni
Corrado
C
Paganelli
Rita
R
Rezzani
D000818:Animals; D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003035:Cobalt; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D016348:Osseointegration; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013552:Swine; D014025:Titanium
D002858:Chromium Alloys; D015921:Dental Implants; D003035:Cobalt; D014025:Titanium