Bone reaction adjacent to microplasma-sprayed CaP-coated oral implants subjected to occlusal load, an experimental study in the dog. Part I: short-term results

Background: A new microplasma spraying equipment (MSE) to deposit calcium phosphate ceramic (CaP) coatings onto titanium substrates has been developed. With this system, it is possible to spray fine particles and to apply textured hydroxylapatite coatings onto titanium surfaces. Moreover, due to the low heat power of the microplasma jet, overheating of the powder particles as well as excessive local overheating of the substrate is diminished. Furthermore, because of the small laminar plasma jet, it is possible to achieve high spray efficiency in the case of spraying for dental implants. Also, the low level of noise (25–50 dB) and hardly any dust makes it possible to operate MSE under conditions of normal workrooms. Objective: The aim was to investigate, in a mandibular dog model, bone biological properties and the occlusal loading effects of titanium implants provided with newly developed microplasma‐sprayed CaP coatings. Material and methods: For histomorphometrical evaluation, 48 screw‐type titanium implants were inserted into the mandibles of six adult beagle dogs. The implants were either acid etched without additional coating, coated with a conventionally plasma‐sprayed CaP ceramic, coated with a microplasma‐sprayed CaP ceramic or with a microplasma‐sprayed coating at the apical part only. To assess the effect of occlusal loading, a split‐mouth design was used. Six weeks after implantation, the implants in one half of the mandible of each dog were functionally loaded, while the contra lateral implants served as control. Six weeks after loading, the animals were sacrificed and bone‐to‐implant contact as well as the amount of bone around the implants were assessed. Results: Irrespective of surface and functional load, no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) were found either for bone‐to‐implant contact or for the amount of bone between the various implant surfaces. On the other hand, functional loading of the non‐coated implants was associated with a tendency towards crestal bone loss. Conclusion: Within the limits of the experiment, we conclude that functional loading of MPS CaP coatings induces a favorable bone response, and furthermore, that the bone response, irrespective of the loading condition, does not differ from conventional plasma‐sprayed CaP coatings. To cite this article: Junker R, Manders PJD, Wolke J, Borisov Y, Jansen JA. Bone reaction adjacent to microplasma‐sprayed CaP‐coated oral implants subjected to occlusal load, an expe