title: Piezoelectric osteotomy for the placement of titanium implants in rabbits: histomorphometry study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate bone remodeling around dental implants inserted into recipient sites prepared using either the piezoelectric or the conventional drilling technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits (4 months, 2.70 kg) received dental implants (3.3 mm diameter and 6 mm length) on the medial surface of the tibia and were divided into 3 groups (n = 8). Group I was euthanized at 7 days; group II, at 14; and group III, at 28 days. Each animal received four implants, two in the right and two in the left tibia (96 implants were installed). Each tibia was operated by the same technique, and there are therefore neighbor's implants installed by different techniques. Histomorphometric parameters were used: the volume occupied by trabecular bone around the implants (BV/TV), media thickness, separation and number of trabeculae around the loops, and the contact area (interface) directly between the bone and implant (BIC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  BV/TV was similar for both techniques (P = 0.291). Reduction in trabecular thickness was observed for both techniques (P < 0.05), but then returned to prior levels, with no significant difference between techniques (P = 0.217). Trabecular number increased from day 7 to day 14 (P < 0.001) and remained constant afterward for both techniques. No difference in BIC was observed between techniques on day 28 (P = 0.961).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Piezoelectric osteotomy allowed bone formation for osseointegration of titanium implants, was not associated with bone necrosis, and provided results similar to those of the conventional technique. The piezoelectric technique can be considered a viable alternative in dental implantology.
authors.affiliation: Pos-Graduate Program, Division of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávio de Ávila
authors.initials: Fde Á
authors.lastname: Kfouri
authors.forename: Monica Talarico
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Duailibi
authors.forename: José Luis Gonçalves
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bretos
authors.forename: Aluizio Barbosa
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: Debora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pallos
authors.forename: Silvio Eduardo
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Duailibi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D059745:Piezosurgery; D011817:Rabbits; D013977:Tibia; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D014025:Titanium
keywords: bone regeneration; dental implants; electrosurgery; histological techniques; osseointegration; osteogenesis; piezosurgery