This study aimed to evaluate the effect of surface hydrophilicity on the biomechanical aspects of osseointegration of dental implants in the tibia and femur of rabbits. Forty-eight mature female New Zealand White rabbits were included, and 96 commercially pure, Grade 4, titanium dental implants (control group), and 96 implants of same macro geometry with the hydrophilic surface (test group) were used in this study. One osteotomy was performed in each tibia and femur on both sides of the rabbit, and four implants were placed in each rabbit. Control and test groups were randomly allocated on the left and right sides. During surgery, insertion torque (ITQ) value of the complete implant placement was recorded. After healing periods of 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery, implant stability quotient (ISQ) value, and removal torque (RTQ) values were measured. No statistical difference was observed for ITQ, for ISQ and for RTQ between the control group and test group in tibia/femur for all time periods. The effect of hydrophilic properties on moderately roughened surfaces has no impact in terms of biomechanical outcomes (ISQ values and RTQ values) after a healing period of 2 to 8 weeks in rabbit tibias /femurs.
Keywords: hydrophilicity; implant stability quotient; osseointegration; removal torque; surface topography.