Effect of Hydrogel on Enhancing Osseointegration of Titanium Implant to Bone: An Study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the osteogenic potential of (CQ) hydrogel in enhancing the osseointegration of titanium to the bone in an experimental rabbit model.

Materials And Methods: Six adult male New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. A total of 24 implants (12 coated test implants and 12 uncoated control implants) were placed in these 6 rabbits. A polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel was prepared with the hydrogel in which the test implants were coated. Each rabbit was operated on both hind legs and one implant, each, was placed in the femur and tibia. Hence, one rabbit received four implants [two test implants (HG coated) and two control implants (uncoated)]. The animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks, and the specimens were histomorphometrically analyzed. The bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and the bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO) were calculated using Image J analysis.

Results: The statistically analyzed values which were obtained by paired -test, revealed that the average mean values were higher in the test implants (coated) than the control implants (uncoated). The BIC values of the test implants were not significantly different from the control implants in the case of both femur and tibia ( >0.05). The test implants showed significantly increased BAFO values in femur ( <0.05). However, the BAFO values of test implants in tibia did not vary significantly from the control implants.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, the authors conclude that the coating of hydrogel enhances the osseointegration of titanium implants to bone. The further studies need to be designed to check the osseointegrative potential of .

Clinical Significance: The findings of this study suggest that the hydrogel is a potent osteogenic material that can reduce the osseointegration period and thus enhance the patient compliance toward implant treatment.