Aim: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of a modified transgingival implant collar surface (acid-etched structure and hydrophilic properties) comparatively to a machined collar surface on the clinical and soft tissue integration to pure titanium implants (Ti) and titanium implants alloyed with zirconium (TiZr).
Material and methods: Twenty-seven implants belonging to the following groups (9 of each group): Ti modSLA with machined collar (Ti-M), Ti modSLA with machined, acid-etched surface collar (Ti-modMA) and TiZr modSLA with machined, acid-etched surface collar (TiZr-modMA) were placed in the mandible of 6 minipigs. After 8 weeks of healing, clinical measurements were taken and the sample sites were dissected and processed for histological evaluation.
Results: Eight weeks after implantation, the mucosa was generally located above the implant shoulder for all implant types. Histomorphometric evaluation revealed that the sulcular epithelium, junctional epithelium and the connective tissue contact were similar in the three groups. Adjusted comparisons showed that the first bone-to-implant contact was statistically more coronal for the Ti-modMA in comparison with the machined.
Conclusion: The soft tissue dimensions around all implant prototypes were similar and not affected by the implant surface modification.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S.