Purpose: The aim of this histological and histomorphometric study was to compare the early peri-implant endosseous healing properties of a dual acid-etched (DAE) surface (Osseotite, Implant Innovations Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA) with a DAE surface modified with nanometer-sized calcium phosphate (CaP) particles (NanoTite, Implant Innovations Inc.) in grafted and mature maxillary bone.
Materials and methods: Fifteen patients received two mini-implants, 1 with DAE surface (control) and 1 with a DAE + CaP surface (test), to fixate an iliac crest bone graft to the maxilla. A part of each mini-implant was in contact with the grafted bone and a part extended into the native maxillary bone. After a healing period of 3 months, the specimens were harvested and analyzed.
Results: Overall, a trend was seen for stronger bone response around the test mini-implants in the native bone of the maxilla. However, only the old bone particles measured by percentages of bone-to-implant contact and bone area were statistically significant (p = .025 and p = .042, respectively).
Conclusions: The NanoTite surface increases the peri-implant endosseous healing properties in the native bone of the maxilla compared with the Osseotite surface, while this difference was not visible in the bone graft area. This might be a result of the lower remodeling process of the graft.