Extracting 3D information on bone remodeling in the proximity of titanium implants in SRμCT image volumes

Bone-implant integration is measured in several ways. Traditionally and routinely, 2D histological sections of samples, containing bone and the biomaterial, are stained and analyzed using a light microscope. Such histological section provides detailed cellular information about the bone regeneration in the proximity of the implant. However, this information reflects the integration in only a very small fraction, a 10 μm thick slice, of the sample. In this study, we show that feature values quantified on 2D sections are highly dependent on the orientation and the placement of the section, suggesting that a 3D analysis of the whole sample is of importance for a more complete judgment of the bone structure in the proximity of the implant. We propose features describing the 3D data by extending the features traditionally used for 2D-analysis. We present a method for extracting these features from 3D image data and we measure them on five 3D SRμCT image volumes. We also simulate cuts through the image volume positioned at all possible section positions. These simulations show that the measurement variations due to the orientation of the section around the center line of the implant are about 30%.

Protein adsorption to surface chemistry and crystal structure modification of titanium surfaces

Objectives

To observe the early adsorption of extracellular matrix and blood plasma proteins to magnesium-incorporated titanium oxide surfaces, which has shown superior bone response in animal models.

Material and Methods

Commercially pure titanium discs were blasted with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles (control), and for the test group, TiO₂ blasted discs were further processed with a micro-arc oxidation method (test). Surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, surface topography by optic interferometry, characterization by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The adsorption of 3 different proteins (fibronectin, albumin, and collagen type I) was investigated by an immunoblotting technique.

Results

The test surface showed a porous structure, whereas the control surface showed a typical TiO₂ blasted structure. XPS data revealed magnesium-incorporation to the anodic oxide film of the surface. There was no difference in surface roughness between the control and test surfaces. For the protein adsorption test, the amount of albumin was significantly higher on the control surface whereas the amount of fibronectin was significantly higher on the test surface. Although there was no significant difference, the test surface had a tendency to adsorb more collagen type I.

Conclusions

The magnesium-incorporated anodized surface showed significantly higher fibronectin adsorption and lower albumin adsorption than the blasted surface. These results may be one of the reasons for the excellent bone response previously observed in animal studies.

Ex vivo and in vivo biomechanical test of implant attachment to various materials: introduction of a new user-friendly removal torque equipment

OBJECTIVE

The removal torque (RTQ) analysis is commonly used for biomechanical evaluation of osseointegration. The overall aim of this study was to verify results obtained with a newly developed equipment for biomechanical testing of osseointegration.

METHODS

Verification of the new equipment for biomechanical tests involved three experiments: Part I, comparison of RTQ between implants placed in four different types of dental synthetic plasters. Part II, comparison of RTQ between custom made, experimentally used implants to self-tapping, commercially available implants molded in the same type of dental plaster. Part III, comparison of RTQ between commercially pure titanium implants to Ti6Al4V implants placed in rabbit bone, 6 weeks after insertion. Briefly, for all experiments, the peak RTQ values and the removal process were recorded every 0.01 seconds up to 10 seconds. After the measurements, peak RTQ values were converted to shear strength.

RESULTS

The developed equipment sensitively responded to the changes of properties related to the molding plasters, implant topographies, and materials. The monitored graphs corresponded well to the expected properties of the different implants and tested materials.

CONCLUSION

The new RTQ equipment proved to be accurate and could add new knowledge in understanding the biomechanical aspects of osseointegration.

Histological and histomorphometrical analyses of biopsies harvested 11 years after maxillary sinus floor augmentation with deproteinized bovine and autogenous bone

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to histologically and histomorphometrically evaluate the long-term tissue response to deproteinized bovine bone (DPBB) particles used in association with autogenous bone and to compare particle size after 6 months and 11 years, in the same patients, in order to determine possible resorption.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients (14 women and six men) with a mean age of 62 years (range 48-69 years) with severe atrophy of the posterior maxilla were included in this study. Thirty maxillary sinuses with <5 mm subantral alveolar bone were augmented with a mixture of 80% DPBB and 20% autogenous bone. Eleven years (mean 11.5 years) after augmentation, biopsies were taken from the grafted areas of the 11 patients who volunteered to participate in this new surgical intervention. The following histomorphometrical measurements were performed in these specimens: total bone area in percentage, total area of the DPBB, total area of marrow space, the degree of DPBB-bone contact (percentage of the total surface length for each particle), the length of all DPBB particles and the area of all DPBB particles. The length and the area of the particles were compared with samples harvested from the same patients at 6 months (nine samples) and pristine particles from the manufacturer.

RESULTS

The biopsies consisted of 44.7+/-16.9% lamellar bone, 38+/-16.9% marrow space and 17.3+/-13.2% DPBB. The degree of DPBB to bone contact was 61.5+/-34%. There were no statistically significant differences between the length and area of the particles after 11 years compared with those measured after 6 months in the same patients or to pristine particles from the manufacturer.

CONCLUSION

DPBB particles were found to be well integrated in lamellar bone, after sinus floor augmentation in humans, showing no significant changes in particle size after 11 years. To cite this article: Mordenfeld A, Hallman M, Johansson CB, Albrektsson T. Histological and histomorphometrical analyses of biopsies harvested 11 years after maxillary sinus floor augmentation with deproteinized bovine and autogenous bone.

Comparison of histomorphometrical data obtained with two different image analysis methods

A common way to determine tissue acceptance of biomaterials is to perform histomorphometrical analysis on histologically stained sections from retrieved samples with surrounding tissue, using various methods. The "time and money consuming" methods and techniques used are often "in house standards". We address light microscopic investigations of bone tissue reactions on un-decalcified cut and ground sections of threaded implants. In order to screen sections and generate results faster, the aim of this pilot project was to compare results generated with the in-house standard visual image analysis tool (i.e., quantifications and judgements done by the naked eye) with a custom made automatic image analysis program. The histomorphometrical bone area measurements revealed no significant differences between the methods but the results of the bony contacts varied significantly. The raw results were in relative agreement, i.e., the values from the two methods were proportional to each other: low bony contact values in the visual method corresponded to low values with the automatic method. With similar resolution images and further improvements of the automatic method this difference should become insignificant. A great advantage using the new automatic image analysis method is that it is time saving--analysis time can be significantly reduced.

Improved bone ingrowth and fixation with a thin calcium phosphate coating intended for complete resorption

Bonit is claimed to be a resorbable electrochemically deposited calcium phosphate coating consisting mainly of brushite, which is a hydroxyapatite precursor. This study involved a comparison of Ti6Al4V screw-shaped implants with and without a 15 +/- 5 microm Bonit coating in rabbit tibia and femur, after 6 and 12 weeks of insertion. The biomechanical removal torque test showed significantly increased values for the coated implants after 12 weeks (p < 0.05) but not after 6 weeks of integration. Higher bone-implant contact was found for the coated implants in the tibia after 6 weeks and for both tibial and femoral screws after 12 weeks (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the inflammatory reaction around the implants, and possible grains of the coating could be detected after 6 weeks, but not after 12 weeks of follow-up. This unloaded short-term study has shown promising results for the easily applicable and resorbable coat (Bonit) compared to uncoated titanium-alloy implants.

Retrieved Implants from Irradiated Sites in Humans: A Histologic/Histomorphometric Investigation of Oral and Craniofacial Implants

PURPOSE

The aim of this report was to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the tissue response to bone-anchored implants retrieved from irradiated sites in patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The material consists of 23 consecutively received Brånemark implants (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) placed in pre- or postoperatively irradiated sites. Twenty-two of the 23 implants were suitable for histologic evaluation of undecalcified sections in the light microscope.

RESULTS

The oral implants with shorter time in situ demonstrated sparse bone to implant contact with mainly dense connective tissue in the interface. However, for implants with longer time in situ, high amounts of bone-implant contact and bone fill of threads were noted. The mean values of bone-implant contact and bone area within the thread were calculated to 40% (16-94) and 70% (13-96), respectively. The craniofacial implants, with the exception of two implants lined with a capsular formation, demonstrated mature and newly formed bone at the bone-implant interface. The mean value for bone-metal contact was calculated to 45 and 53% for two specimens. The mean value for bone area within the thread ranged from 65 to 88% for three specimens. CONCLUSION; The possibility to achieve bone anchorage of implants in irradiated tissue was supported by the findings in this study. However, due to limited material, conclusions with regard to radiation dose and bone tissue response to implants cannot be stated.

Histologic evaluation of Brånemark clinic oral implants retrieved from grafted sites

PURPOSE

The aim of this report is to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the bone tissue response to Brånemark implants retrieved from grafted sites in patients.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The material consists of consecutively received Brånemark implants retrieved from grafted sites. Thirty-five of these implants, retrieved from 16 patients, were suitable for the histologic evaluation of undecalcified sections in the light microscope.

RESULTS

The unloaded implants were mainly lined with soft tissue, and sparse bone-implant contact was observed only in some sections. The loaded implants, with the exception of one implant removed due to mobility, had mature and new bone-implant contact. Resorption of graft through cutting cone structures was detected. Cement lines were found separating bone-like tissue albeit no cellular content and bone tissue with detectable osteocytes.

CONCLUSION

In this heterogeneous group of implants from grafted sites, the unloaded implants showed limited bone-implant contact. The autografts showed seemingly mixed viability as judged by the cell content in the osteocyte lacunae and cement lines separating areas with filled and empty lacunae.

Aseptic loosening, not only a question of wear: a review of different theories

Today, aseptic loosening is the most common cause of revision of major arthroplasties. Aseptic loosening accounts for more than two-thirds of hip revisions and almost one-half of knee revisions in Sweden. Several theories on the cause of aseptic loosening have been proposed. Most of these theories, however, are based on empiric observations, experimental animal models or anecdotal cases. In this review, we discuss the most common theories concerning aseptic loosening. It emerges from this review that aseptic loosening has a multifactorial etiology and cannot be explained by a single theory.

Bone Ingrowths to Press-Fit and Loose-Fit Implants: Comparisons between Titanium and Hydroxyapatite

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the coating of titanium (Ti) implants with hydroxyapatite (HA) might create a better fixation when titanium implants are implanted into a gap. In each of 16 rats, the medullary cavity of both femurs was entered by an awl from the trochanteric area. With steel burrs it was successively reamed to a diameter of 1.5 mm. In a random manner the proximal part of the cavity in half of the bones was reamed once again to a diameter of 2.0 mm. Nails with a diameter of 1.5 mm and a length of 34 mm were then inserted into the medullary cavity of these bones with press fit at the distal half and a gap to the bone in the proximal half. In the remaining bones the whole medullary canal was reamed to a diameter of 2.0 mm, and nails with a diameter of 2.0 mm and a length of 34 mm were introduced. In all cases, either a pure Ti nail or a Ti nail entirely plasma sprayed with HA was used in a random manner. The surface roughness of the pure Ti was characterized by Ra 2.6 microm and Rt 22 microm. Ra of HA was 7.5 microm and Rt 52 microm. At sacrifice after 16 weeks, both femurs were dissected free from soft tissues and then immersed in fixative. A specimen slice of about 5 mm in thickness was prepared from the subtrochanteric region with a water-cooled band saw. Sample preparation for undecalcified tissue followed the internal guidelines at the laboratories of the Department of Biomaterials/Handicap Research. Generally, bone contact to the nails with HA coating was more predictable than was bone contact to the Ti nails. But due to rather large variations in bone contact between the samples, statistical analyses revealed non-significant differences between the 4 groups (p = 0.083). There were no significant differences between Ti and HA coated nails of 2.0 mm (p = 0.633), nor between Ti and HA coated nails of 1.5 mm (p = 0.924). The pooled values for the 2.0 mm nails showed significantly higher bone bonding contact than the pooled values of the 1.5 mm nails (p = 0.011). Our results, then, indicate that bone bonding contact to implants with a loose fit insertion is less predictable than in press fit insertion, and HA coating seemed to be more predictable than pure Ti. However, due to large variations between the samples, the differences did not reach significant levels.

Hydroxyapatite Enhances Long-Term Fixation of Titanium Implants

The aim of this study was to evaluate osseous integration of hydroxyapatite coated titanium implants over time as compared to pure titanium. In 20 rats the medullary cavity of both femoral bones was entered by an awl from the trochanteric area. With steel burrs it was successively reamed to a diameter of 2.0 mm. Nails with a diameter of 2.0 mm and with a length of 34 mm were inserted into the medullary cavity; a pure titanium nail on the left side and a titanium nail entirely plasma-sprayed with hydroxyapatite (HA) on the right side. The surface roughness of the pure titanium was characterized by Ra 2.6 microm and Rt 22 microm, and HA had a roughness of Ra 7.5 (arithmetical mean roughness) microm and Rt (maximum profile height) 52 microm. The rats were randomized to a follow-up of 6 and 12 months, respectively. At sacrifice the femoral bones were dissected free from soft tissues. The bones were radiographed and then immersed in fixative. A specimen-slice of about 5 mm thickness was prepared from the region under the trochanter minor with a water cooled band-saw. Sample preparation for undecalcified tissue followed the internal guidelines at the laboratories of Biomaterials/Handicap Research. At 6 months the median bone bonding contact of the implants was 40% (range 0-92) in the titanium group and 34% (0-86) in the HA group. At 12 months the median bone bonding contact was 51% (0-97) in the titanium group and 86% (72-98) in the HA group. In conclusion, we found a significant (p = 0.001) increase in bone bonding contact from 6 to 12 months of the HA coated nails and significantly (p = 0.043) enhanced bone bonding contact in HA coated nails at 12 months as compared to pure titanium nails.

A study of 275 retrieved Brånemark oral implants

The aim of this report was to describe the bone tissue response to Brånemark oral implants retrieved from patients. The material consisted of consecutively received Brånemark threaded oral implants and related patient data provided by clinicians. The implant samples were processed into undecalcified sections for evaluation under the light microscope. The analysis demonstrated a lower percentage of bone-to-implant contact for the unloaded implants as compared to the loaded implants. When the threads were divided into four different regions, the loaded implants had a lower percentage of bone-contacting length at the thread top as compared to the other three regions.

A descriptive study on retrieved non-threaded and threaded implant designs

OBJECTIVES

In the light microscope compare the amount of bone saucerization for non-threaded cylindrical and threaded implant designs in retrieved samples from patients.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Consecutively received retrieved oral implants from 117 patients, whereof 85 non-threaded cylindrical and 85 Brånemark implants, have been included in the study. For 75 non-threaded cylindrical and 46 Brånemark implants was the entire implant length available for calculation. Undecalcified ground sections were investigated in the light microscope with calculation of percentage of implant length coronal to the first bone-implant contact and percentage of bone to implant contact.

RESULTS

Mean value for implant length coronal to first bone-implant contact was 65%, standard error of the mean (SEM) 3 (range 0-100%), for non-threaded cylindrical implants and 43%, SEM 6 (range 0-100%) for Brånemark implants. Mean values of bone contact along the entire implant length was 23%, SEM 2 (range 0-65%), for the non-threaded cylindrical implants and 33%, SEM 5 (range 0-93%) for the Brånemark implants.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of this retrospective, retrieval study non-threaded cylindrical implants demonstrated a greater bone saucerization when evaluated in the light microscope.

Immediate loading with complete implant-supported restorations in an edentulous heavy smoker: histologic and histomorphometric analyses

The clinical case presented is that of an edentulous female patient, a heavy smoker, who received implant-supported complete restorations in the maxilla and mandible using the immediate loading concept according to the Ankylos implant system. The patient received 12 commercially pure titanium (grade 2) Ankylos implants, 6 in the maxilla and 6 in the mandible. The implants were loaded immediately after surgery with temporary acrylic resin prostheses fabricated chairside using a prefabricated customized splint. The definitive ceramometal restorations were seated 4 months after surgery. Clinical and radiologic evaluation at 7 months after implant placement indicated functional bone anchorage of all implants, despite the patient being a smoker and having poor bone quality. The patient died 7 months after implant placement because of lung cancer; however, there was no known disease at the time of implant placement. After her death, the implants with the surrounding tissues were removed en bloc and examined histologically and histomorphometrically using undecalcified cut and ground sections. All implants were osseointegrated to some extent and surrounded by lamellar bone. However, around the upper, nonthreaded parts of the implants, much of the bone had been resorbed. In this region, fibrous connective tissue was in close contact with the titanium surface. Epithelial proliferation with pocket formation could not be observed in any of the implants. The histomorphometric evaluation of bone-implant contact in threads demonstrated a mean of approximately 51% of the available surface and a mean bone volume of approximately 52%, with a tendency toward greater contact and volume around the implants in the maxilla. If the nonthreaded cylindric portions of the implants were included, mean bone-implant contact was 46% and mean bone volume was 47%.

Improved retention and bone-tolmplant contact with fluoride-modified titanium implants

PURPOSE

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether a fluoride modification of the titanium surface would have an effect on bone response after implantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Titanium-oxide-blasted titanium implants with and without fluoride modification were investigated in a rabbit tibia model. Quantitative analysis of surface roughness, biomechanical interlocking, and in vivo tissue reactions in rabbit bone at 1 and 3 months after placement were compared.

RESULTS

The fluoride-modified test implants had a slightly smoother surface (Sa: 0.91 +/- 0.14 microm) than the unmodified control implants (Sa: 1.12 +/- 0.24 microm). Significantly higher removal torque values (85 +/- 16 Ncm vs 54 +/- 12 Ncm) and shear strength between bone and implants (23 +/- 9 N/mm2 vs 15 +/- 5 N/mm2) were measured for the fluoride-modified implants after 3 months. The histomorphometric evaluations demonstrated higher bone-to-implant contact for test implants at 1 month (35% +/- 14% vs 26% +/- 8%) and 3 months (39% +/- 11% vs 31% +/- 6%) after placement.

DISCUSSION

Implant surface modification with fluoride may result in morphologic and physiochemical phenomena that are of significance for the bone response. Another possible explanation for the findings in the present study is that a surface modification changes the surface chemical structures to be more suitable for bone bonding.

CONCLUSION

Based on the biomechanical and histomorphometric data, the fluoride-modified titanium implants demonstrated a firmer bone anchorage than the unmodified titanium implants. These implants achieved greater bone integration than unmodified titanium implants after a shorter healing time.

Hydroxyapatite and Carbon Coatings for Fixation of Unloaded Titanium Implants

The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between bone and pure titanium, titanium coated with hydroxyapatite (HA), and titanium coated with carbon in a rat femur model. In 25 rats, the medullary cavity of both femurs was entered by an awl from the trochanteric area. With steel burrs it was successively reamed to a diameter of 2.0 mm. Nails with a diameter of 2.0 mm and with a length of 34 mm were inserted in a random manner; either a pure titanium nail, a titanium nail entirely plasma-sprayed with a 75-100-microm layer of HA or a titanium nail coated with 2-10-microm carbon. The surface roughness of the pure titanium was characterized by Ra 2.6 microm and Rt 22 microm. Ra of HA was 7.5 microm and Rt 52 microm, and of carbon Ra was 0.4 microm and Rt 4.0 microm. Twelve rats were randomized to a follow up of 8 weeks, and the remaining 13 rats were followed for 16 weeks. At sacrifice both femora were dissected free from soft tissues and then immersed in fixative. A specimen slice of about 5 mm thickness was prepared from the subtrochanteric region with a water-cooled band-saw. Sample preparation for un-decalcified tissue followed the internal guidelines at the laboratories of Biomaterials/Handicap Research. At 8 weeks the median bone bonding contact of the implants was 43% (range 0-74) in the titanium group, 39% (0-75) in the HA group, and 3% (0-59) in the carbon group. At 16 weeks the corresponding figures were 58% (0-78) in the titanium group, 51% (15-75) in the HA group, and 8% (0-79) in the carbon group. In conclusion, we found great variability in bone bonding contact. In general, carbon-coated nails had reduced bone bonding contact both at 8 and at 16 weeks as compared to pure titanium or titanium coated with hydroxyapatite.

Biological behavior of sol-gel coated dental implants

The biocompatibility of dental implants coated with titania/hydroxyapatite (HA) and titania/bioactive glass (BG) composites obtained via sol-gel process was investigated using an in vitro and in vivo model. A device for the in vitro testing of screw-shaped dental implants was developed, in order to well compare the two experimental models studying the behavior of human MG63 osteoblast-like cells seeded onto a particular geometry. The expression of some biochemical parameters of osteoblastic phenotype (alkaline phosphatase specific activity, collagen and osteocalcin production) and some indications on cells morphology obtained by scanning electron microscopy were evaluated. The in vitro and in vivo models were compared after implants insertion in rabbit tibia and femur. The removal torque and histomorphometric parameters (percentage of bone in contact with implant surface and the amount of bone inside the threaded area) were examined. A good agreement was found between the in vitro and in vivo models. These experiments showed better performances of HA and BG sol-gel coated dental implants with respect to uncoated titanium; in particular, it was found that in vitro the HA coating stimulates osteoblastic cells in producing higher level of ALP and collagen, whereas in vivo this surface modification resulted in a higher removal torque and a larger bone-implant contact area. This behavior could be ascribed to the morphology and the chemical composition of the implants with rough and bioactive surfaces.

FGF-4 and titanium implants: a pilot study in rabbit bone

AIM

To evaluate the effect of a local single injection of amino-terminally truncated recombinant human fibroblast growth factor-4 (rhFGF-4s) on titanium implant incorporation in a rabbit bone.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-six threaded titanium implants were inserted into the femur and tibia of six rabbits. Three weeks prior to implant insertion 10 microg of FGF-4 in an altelocollagen carrier or the carrier alone was injected into the intended implant sites. Biomechanical evaluation by (i) resonance frequency analysis and (ii) peak removal torque measurements was performed after 6 weeks. The implants with surrounding tissue were processed to undecalcified ground sections followed by light-microscopic quantifications of the bone in threaded area and the apical parts of the implants.

RESULTS

A general trend, however not statistically significant, with higher mean values obtained in the above-mentioned tests was found. The FGF-4-treated implants revealed a significantly increased bone area in the apical part of the implants compared to the corresponding control implants.

CONCLUSION

A local single injection of rhFGF-4 may stimulate bone formation around titanium implants in bone. However, further research is required to confirm these results, understand the mechanisms of FGF, and establish optimal dose and delivery methods.

Tissue reactions adjacent to well-fixed hydroxyapatite-coated acetabular cups. Histopathology of ten specimens retrieved at reoperation after 0.3 to 5.8 years

Ten acetabular cups coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) had originally been inserted in five primary and five revision total hip replacements. The thickness of the HA was 155 +/- 35 microm. The cups, which were well-fixed, were retrieved, with their adherent tissue, at reoperation after 0.3 to 5.8 years because of infection (five hips), wear of polyethylene (three hips), and instability (two hips). Undecalcified sections showed a direct contact between bone and osteoid-like tissue which had formed directly onto the HA coating. The area within the threads and their mirror images, as well as the implant-tissue interfaces consisted of similar amounts of bone and soft tissue. Degradation of HA was seen in all hips. The mean thickness of the remaining HA coating was 97 microm (95% CI 94 to 101). The metal interface comprised 66% HA. The HA-tissue interface contained more bone than soft tissue (p = 0.001), whereas the metal-tissue interface included more soft tissue than bone (p = 0.019). Soft tissue at the implant interface and poor replacement of HA by bone may interfere with long-term fixation.

Enamel matrix derivative and titanium implants

AIM

The aim of present study was to evaluate if an enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) may enhance bone formation and osseointegration of titanium implants, using a well-documented rabbit model.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-six threaded commercially pure titanium (cp.ti.) implants were inserted in six New Zealand white rabbits. One implant was placed in each femur and two in each tibia. Prior to implant insertion approximately 0.5 mL of Emdogain (EMD) (test) or the vehicle gel (PGA: propylene glycol alginate) (control) was injected into the surgically prepared implant site. The follow-up time was 6 weeks. Biomechanical evaluations by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and removal torque measurements (RTQ) were performed. Histomorphometrical quantifications were made on ground sections by measurements of the percentage of bone-to-metal contact, bone area inside the threads as well as outside the threads (mirror image). Bone lengths along the implant surface were also measured and used for shear strength calculations.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated no beneficial effects from the EMD treatment on bone formation around titanium implants in any of the tested parameters. Significant differences were demonstrated with removal torque test and shear force calculations for the control implants. No other parameter demonstrated a statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study may indicate that EMD does not contribute to bone formation around titanium implants. This observation may indicate that the bone formation that occurs after EMD treatment in periodontal defects is the result of functional adaptation. However, further research is required to evaluate the effect of EMD treatment on bone formation.