EVALUATION OF NERIDRONATE ON THE OSSEOINTEGRATION PROCESS OF ENDEOUS TITANIUM IMPLANTS IN ANIMAL MODELS

Bisphosphonates are compounds that inhibit bone reabsorption mediated by osteoclasts. The use of bisphosphonates in oral implantology is still in the experimental stage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of an aminobisphosphonate to increase the ability of the drug to act on the implant and bone surfaces in the development of the osseointegration in sheep. Forty SLA titanium implants were used on sheep iliac crests. Neridronate added to connective gel (test 1) or to physiological solution (test 2) was used in order to increase the bone and implant adhesiveness. Physiological solution (control 1) or connective gel (control 2) alone was given to the control groups. A topical administration of Neridronate was made on the implant surface and in the implant site. Four Bergamasca sheep were used and were sacrificed by intravenous injection of 10 cc Tanax after 8 weeks from implantation. Histologic and histomorphometric analyses were carried out. The results did not show significant differences between the test group and control group. Our data are different from other similar studies obtaining statistically significant differences. These differences could depend on the procedure of application of the drug on the implant. This study demonstrates the poor efficacy of neridronate applied topically to the implant and implant site during surgery. Further studies using different fixation techniques of the drug may be necessary to confirm the present data.