Surface-modified zirconia implants: tissue response in rabbits.

Aim: To evaluate the bone tissue response to zirconia implants with three different surface modifications in comparison with the oxidized titanium surface with the goal to optimize osseointegration in terms of strength and speed.

Materials And Methods: A total of 18 rabbits with 143 implants were used. One hundred and twenty-three were threaded zirconia ceramic implants with three different surface topographies and 20 modified titanium oxide implants were controls. Each rabbit received eight implants and sacrificed after 3 weeks. The removal torque test (RTQ) and histology were performed.

Results: Sixteen out of 18 rabbits completed the study with a total of 110 implants. No statistical significance was observed between the chemical modification implants compared with the topographically modified zirconia implant in terms of interfacial shear strength proven by the RTQ applied. No statistical significance was also observed in the bone-to-implant contact between the zirconia implants and the control oxidized implants.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that additional specific chemical modifications of the topographically modified zirconia implants do not seem to enhance the bone-to-implant contact and appear not to increase the interfacial shear strength.