title: A bisphosphonate-coating improves the fixation of metal implants in human bone. A randomized trial of dental implants.
abstract: Many surgical procedures use metal implants in bone. The clinical results depend on the strength of the bone holding these implants. Our objective was to show that a drug released from the implant surface can improve parameters reflecting the quality or amount of this bone. Sixteen patients received paired dental titanium implants in the maxilla, in a randomized, double-blinded fashion. One implant in each pair was coated with a thin fibrinogen layer containing 2 bisphosphonates. The other implant was untreated. Fixation was evaluated by measurement of resonance frequency (implant stability quotient; ISQ) serving as a proxy for stiffness of the implant-bone construct. Increase in ISQ at 6months of follow-up was the primary variable. None of the patients had any complications. The resonance frequency increased 6.9 ISQ units more for the coated implants (p=0.0001; Cohen's d=1.3). The average difference in increase in ISQ, and the effect size, suggested a clinically relevant improvement. X-ray showed less bone resorption at the margin of the implant both at 2months (p=0.012) and at 6months (p=0.012). In conclusion, a thin, bisphosphonate-eluting fibrinogen coating might improve the fixation of metal implants in human bone. This might lead to new possibilities for orthopedic surgery in osteoporotic bone and for dental implants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, Sweden. jahan.abtahi@lio.se
authors.forename: Jahan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abtahi
authors.forename: Pentti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tengvall
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aspenberg
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015921:Dental Implants; D017268:Dental Prosthesis Retention; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000601:surgery*; D008670:Metals; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015921:Dental Implants; D004164:Diphosphonates; D008670:Metals