Histologic and Histomorphometric Behavior of Microgrooved Zirconia Dental Implants with Immediate Loading

Purpose The study aims to assess the total soft tissue (ST) width, crestal bone level (CBL), bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC), and bone density (BD) for zirconia implants textured with microgrooved surfaces and immediately loaded. Materials and Methods This study included 51 implants; one implant from each study group was retained for surface characterization. The 48 remaining implants were inserted randomly in premolar areas of both sides of the healed edentulous lower jaws of foxhound dogs. They were divided into three groups of 16: control (titanium); test A (zirconia), and test B (microgrooved zirconia). The implants were splinted and covered with an acrylic bridge. A split‐mouth design was used and immediate occlusal loading was applied on one side, while the other side did not have occlusal contact. ST, CBL, BIC, and BD were evaluated after 3 months. The effects of immediate loading on these parameters were analyzed. Results All the implants were osseointegrated. ST was established at 3 months with mean values of 2.9 ± 0.4 mm for all groups. No differences were appreciated between loaded and unloaded sides regarding ST (p > .05). CBL showed a mean of 1.2 ± 0.3 mm for all groups without differences between loaded and unloaded sides (p > .05). BIC percentages were significantly higher for loaded all‐microgrooved implants (p