J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2013 Jul;51(3):190-198. 10.4047/jkap.2013.51.3.190.

Osseointegration of zirconia implant in the tibia of pigs

• Kim LK
• Cho IH

• KMID: 2000168
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4047/jkap.2013.51.3.190

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to investigate osseointegration around zirconia implants which had machined or alumina sandblasted surface, and to compare the results with titanium implants.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was performed on the tibia of 6 pigs. Three types of implants were investigated: group T-titanium implant, group Z-machined zirconia implant, group ZS-alumina sandblasting treated zirconia implant. Zirconia implants were manufactured from yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Acucera Inc., Pocheon, Korea). A total of 36 implants were installed in pigs' tibias. After 1, 4 and 12 weeks of healing period, the periotest and the histomorphometric analysis were performed. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and significance was assessed by the Scheffe test (alpha=.05).
RESULTS
In the measurement of surface roughness, highest Ra value was measured in group T with significant difference. No significant differences were found among groups regarding Periotest values. After 1 week, in comparison of bone to implant contact (BIC), group Z showed higher value with significant difference. In comparison of bone area (BA), group T and group Z showed higher value with significant difference than group ZS. After 4 weeks, in comparison of BIC, group T showed higher value with significant difference. Comparison of BA showed no significant difference among each implant. After 12 weeks, the highest mean BIC values were found in group T with significant difference. Group ZS showed higher BIC value with significant difference than group Z. In comparison of BA, group T and group ZS showed higher value with significant difference than group Z.
CONCLUSION
Zirconia implant showed low levels of osseointegration in this experiment. Modification of surface structure should be taken into consideration in designing zirconia implants to improve the success rate.

Keyword

Zirconia implant; Bone to implant contact; Bone area; Histomorphometry

MeSH Terms

Aluminum Oxide
Nitrogen Mustard Compounds
Osseointegration
Swine
Tibia
Titanium
Zirconium
Aluminum Oxide
Nitrogen Mustard Compounds
Titanium
Zirconium

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Implants used in this study. A: Mimetic diagram of implants, B: Titanium implant, C: Zirconia implant.

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  Fig. 2. Light micrographs taken 1 week after insertion. A: Group T, B: Group Z, C: Group ZS, The thread area was occupied by old bone, bone fragments and red blood cells. Inflammatory cell can be detected (H-E, magnification ×100).

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  Fig. 3. Light micrographs taken 4 weeks after insertion. A: Group T, B: Group Z, C: Group ZS, The thread was occupied by new bone. Fibrous/vascular tissue between bone and machined zirconia implant were observed (H-E, ×100).

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  Fig. 4. Light micrographs taken 12 weeks after insertion. A: Group T, Bone formation with high bone contact adjacent to titanium implants was seen. B: Group Z, A fibrous capsule was present in the interface. C: Group ZS, Thin fibrous capsule between bone and sandblasting treated zirconia implant was seen (H-E, ×100).

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  Fig. 5. Scanning electron micrographs of bone to implant contact taken 1 week after insertion. A: Group T, B: Group Z, C: Group ZS, Bone formation was evident near the implant surface (×1,500).

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  Fig. 6. Scanning electron micrographs of bone to implant contact taken 4 weeks after insertion. A: Group T, An unmineralized zone separated the mineralized bone from the implant surface (×1,500). B: Group Z, Interface tissue between calcified bone and implant (×1,500). C: Group ZS, A dense amorphous layer was located at the implant surface (×1,500).

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  Fig. 7. Scanning electron micrographs of bone to implant contact taken 12 weeks after insertion. A: Group T, An intimate contact can be detected between the bone and titanium implant (×1,500). B: Group Z, A part of newly formed tissue was detached from the zirconia implant (×1,500). C: Group ZS, A direct bone contact was observed (×1,500).

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