Porous Tantalum Trabecular Metal-enhanced Titanium Implants and Demineralized Bone Matrix

Objectives: We hypothesize that the combination of porous tantalum trabecular metal-enhanced titanium dental Implants (TM) and Puros demineralized bone matrix (DBM) may enhance peri-implant bone regeneration and prevent initial peri-implant bone loss.
Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of consecutively 104 implants performed by a single practitioner. All implants were conventional titanium alloy Zimmer Tapered Screw-vent (TI) or Zimmer Trabecular Metal (TM). All implants that use non-DBM graft materials were excluded. The periapical radiograph taken immediately after implant placement and the one taken 1 year after the implant placement, were used to examine mesial and distal marginal bone loss/gain.

Results: There is no statistically difference between the bone loss between TM and TI implants (p = 0.33). Implants with DMB demonstrated 1.13 mm less bone loss than implants without DMB bone graft (p=0.045). There is an interaction between the types of implant and if DMB was used (ANOVA, p=0.06). In the presence of DBM (n=54), the type of implant (TM vs TI) did not show statistically significant difference in bone regenerative capacity. However, among the total 24 TM implants, presence of bone graft led to statistically significant reduction in bone loss. Comparing TM implants with DBM (n=10) to TI implants without DBM (n=36), TM implants with DBM demonstrated 3.26 mm less bone loss than TI implant without DBM (p=0.056).
Conclusions: Combination of porous tantalum trabecular metal-enhanced dental implant with Puros demineralized bone matrix may prevent initial implant bone loss and maximize bone regeneration.