Early bone healing around 2 different experimental, HA grit-blasted, and dual acid-etched titanium implant surfaces. A pilot study in rabbits

To compare early bone healing around different experimental titanium implant surfaces and to evaluate the role of a calcium phosphate-coated implant surface because it relates to bone-implant contact (BIC). An experimental hydroxyapatite (HA) grit-blasted and dual acid-etched titanium surface (BAE-1) was compared to an experimental HA grit-blasted and dual acid-etched surface treated with nanometer-scale crystals of HA (BAE-2). Both experimental implant surfaces were implanted onto the tibias of 4 New Zealand white rabbits. The animals were killed at 1,6, 21, and 90 days after the implant surgery. Descriptive histology was performed at the healing responses of both implant surfaces. Quantitative morphology assessment provided measurements of BIC, number of bone multicellular units (BMUs), average penetration of BMUs, and maximum penetration of BMUs that were manually made using imaging computer software. The overall BIC for the BAE-2 implant was higher than that for the BAE-1 implant at 21 days of healing. However, there was no significant difference at 90 days of healing. It is concluded from this animal pilot study that the bioactive BAE-2 implant surface provided a better BIC with healthy bone remodeling at 21 days of healing.