Histological and histomorphometric comparison of innovative dental implants laser obtained: Animal pilot study

Objective: Evaluation of the in vivo bone response of two innovative titanium surfaces ytterbium laser active fiber obtained (L1-L2) compared to a sandblasted and acid etched (SBAE) during early phase of osseointegration. Material and methods: Three implant groups with the same macroscopic features were obtained (L1-L2-SBAE) to promote specific surface characteristics. Scanning electron microscopy, profilometric evaluation, X-ray spectrometry, and diffraction analysis were performed. For each group, six implants were placed in the tibiae of three Peli Buey sheep, and histologic, histomorphometric analysis, bone to implant contact (BIC), and the Dynamic Osseointegration index (DOI) were performed. Results: During the early phases of osseointegration, the histological and histomorphometric results showed significant differences between L1-L2-SBAE implants. At 15 and 30 days, histological analysis detected a newly bone formation around all specimens with an higher vital bone in L2 compared to L1 and SBAE both in cortical and in poor-quality marrow bone. At same time, histomorphometric analysis showed significantly higher BIC values in L2 (42.1 ± 2.6 and 82.4 ± 2.2) compared to L1 (5.2 ± 3.1 and 56.2 ± 1.3) and SBAE (23.3 ± 3.9 and 77.3 ± 0.4). DOI medium value showed a higher rate in L2 (2.83) compared to SBAE (2.60) and L1 (1.91). Conclusions: With the limitations of this pilot study, it is possible to assess that the titanium surface characteristics, and not the technologies used to obtain the modification, played a crucial role during the osseointegration process. Histological, histomorphometric, BIC, and DOI evaluation showed a significantly higher rate in L2 specimens compared to others, confirming that the implant surface could increase the bone response in cortical or marrow poor quality bone during the initial phases of osseointegration.