Dexamethasone Delivery by an Implant‐Mediated Drug Delivery System in the Canine Mandible

Background: A newly introduced implant‐mediated drug delivery system (IMDDS) showed promising results in a rabbit tibia model. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether dexamethasone administered by the IMDDS has sustained effects in the canine mandible – a different anatomic location, in a different species. Methods: IMDDS was installed at the mesial root of the second premolar site in the mandibles of six beagle dogs. After complete healing, 10 mg dexamethasone was administered through the IMDDS. The same amount of drug was administered to five control animals by intramuscular injection. The release pattern was monitored for 2 weeks by measuring plasma drug concentrations. Results: A sustained plasma dexamethasone concentration was detected after a peak at 6 hours until the end of the observation period, despite individual variations. The concentration was lower than reported in the rabbit tibia model. In contrast, plasma concentration of the control group showed an early peak at 2 hours and decreased rapidly. Conclusion: Dexamethasone was effectively released from the IMDDS for a prolonged time in the canine mandible model.