Osseointegration of grit-blasted and bioactive titanium implants:: Histomorphometry in minipigs

In order to improve osseointegration of commercially pure titanium implants one of the main influencing factors is surface quality, which refers to their topographical and physicochemical features. A new two-step (2S) surface treatment has been previously developed. The method consists of 1) grit blasting the surface in order to roughen it and 2) thermochemical treatment in order to obtain a bioactive metal surface. This new 2S-treatment has been in vivo evaluated and compared with as-machined (Ctr), acid etched (E) and grit-blasted (R) implants by means of an histomorphometric quantification (percentage of the total implant surface in direct contact with new bone) after 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks of implantation into the mandibles of minipigs. The results showed that the rough and bioactive-c.p. Ti implants obtained by a new two-step surface treatment accelerate their osseointegration compared to grit-blasted, acid etched and as-machined implants, which make them preferential candidates as immediate-loaded dental implants. These implants developed in vivo onto their surfaces a layer of a calcium phosphate, which is probably apatite.