Suitability of differently designed matrix-based implant surface coatings: An animal study on bone formation

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to assay how bone formation around dental implants is influenced by differently composed collagen matrices and RGD peptide as implant surface coatings compared to a sandblasted titanium surface. Material and Methods: Five different implant surface coatings were designed: titanium (sandblasted), collagen type I, collagen type I&III, RGD‐peptide, and mineralized collagen. Sixty experimental implants of a square‐shaped design were inserted into the mandibles of 12 minipigs, 3 months following extraction of the premolar teeth. During the 6‐month study period, sequential polyfluorochrome labeling was performed. After sacrifice, bone implant contact (BIC) was evaluated using histologic and histomorphometric methods. Results: New bone formation was observed against all implant surfaces. Polyfluorochrome labeling showed that bone growth started from the host bone in the majority of samples. The highest BIC was measured for collagen I and collagen I/III coated implants; however, significant differences between the coatings could not be found. Conclusion: Osseointegration was achieved for all implant surfaces. Although a statistically significant increase in BIC could not be demonstrated for the experimental coatings after the 6 months study period, there was also no discernible detrimental effect of the coatings in comparison to the uncoated titanium surfaces. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008