Bone Healing around Sandblasted Implant and Plasma-sprayed Implant

Objective: Aim of present study was a comparison of bone response in implants with sandblasted and plasma-spray surfaces. Titanium screw shaped implants sandblasted, and titanium screw shaped implants plasma spray (P.H.I., S. Vittore Olona, Milano-Italy) were used. Methods: A total of 5 new Zealand white mature male rabbits were used in this study. The implants were inserted into the articular femoral knee joint. Each rabbit received 2 implants, one test (plasma-spray) and one control (sandblasted). A total of 10 implants (5 test and 5 control) were inserted. Four animals were killed with an overdose of pentobarbital after 3 weeks. The specimens were processed to obtain thin ground sections with the Precise 1 Automated System (Assing, Rome, Italy). The slides were stained with acid fuchsin and toluidine blue, then observed under a light microscope (Laborlux S, Leitz, Wetzlar, Germany). Results: In all specimens, after 3 weeks, there were many osteoblasts in direct contact with the implant surface. In other areas of the implant perimeter it was possible to observe the formation of osteoid matrix directly on the implant surface. The present study showed that the healing around the titanium sandblasted implants was similar to that observed around the plasma-spray surfaces. No statistical differences were observed between the 2 groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, a high bone-contact percentage were obeserved in the 2 groups of implants.