Objective: The study was designed to evaluate the comparative effect of osseointegration induced by the dental implants of Beijing Leiden Biomaterial (BLB) and BLBIII.
Materials and methods: The surface properties ofBLBI and BLBIII were studied through thermal field-scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and optical profilometer. A total of 36 BLBI and BLBIII implants, with each of the two groups possessing 18, were randomly implanted into the extraction fossa of the mandibular premolar areas of six Beagles. The animals were then executed 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the surgery, which was followed by macroscopic examination and histomorphometric analysis.
Results: Typical cloud-form microstructure was found on the surface of BLBI implant, which was distributed widely yet in an irregular way. The surface of BLBIII implant was mainly featured by a highly porous layer. The EDS spectra of BLBI indicated the peaks of calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) compatible with apatite phase, while the peaks of Ca, P, oxygen and titanium were incorporated in the BLBIII group. The ratio of Ca and K showed no significant differences in the surface chemical composition of BLBI and BLBIII. Surface microtopographic analysis showed a statistical difference (P<0.01) in the roughness between BLBI (R(a)) and BLBIII. In the healing period, a larger amount of osteoid and bone tissues were observed in the areas surrounding the BLBIII group than those of the BLBII group. After 2 and 4 weeks of the surgery, the bone-implant contact (BIC) of BLBIII group presented higher value of statistical significance (P<0.05) than that of BLBI. However, after the 8-week healing period, the BIC difference between the two groups proved to be of no statistical significance (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and electrophoresis deposition (EPD) are able to produce a highly porous layer on the surface of BLBIII, which is characterized by a relatively stable Ca/P ratio similar to that of the hydroxyapatite layer. Therefore, superior and early osseointegration potential was demonstrated in the threaded implants treated by MAO coupling with EPD, rather than the merely cylindrical-shaped ones with plasma-sprayed HA coating layer.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.