Histomorphometric Evaluation of Implants Coated with Two Different Materials

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare osseous healing characteristics of titanium implants coated with enamel derived flourapatite (EFA) and dentin derived flourapatite (DFA). Methods: Fluorapatite (FA) was derived from extracted human teeth with calcination method at 850ºC. DFA and EFA were separated (60 % dentine and 40 % enamel) and carefully ground with a blade grinder. Twelve titanium implants, 6 mm in length and 6.35 mm in diameter were prepared from a 99.99 % pure titanium bar. All implants were mounted on a round steel rode for continuous plasma spraying process. EFA and DFA powders were sprayed separately on titanium implants. As control group, unsprayed and sandblasted pure titanium implants were used. Implants were sterilized in an autoclave. Four adult rams were used in the study. One EFA coated, 1 DFA coated and 1 control implants were placed in right tibia of each rams. The rams were sacrificed after 6 months of healing. Undecalcified sections were prepared according to Donath's method and histomorphometric evaluation of implants was made. Results: Uneventful healing was achieved in all of the animals. The mean bone contact percentage of DFA-coated implants was 89.88%, and the mean bone contact percentage of EFA-coated implants was 70.18%. Direct bone-implant contact was found at 53.12% of the control group. This study suggests that DFA-coated implants can achieve better bone contact than EFA-coated implants. Also the study groups presented better bone contact than the control group. Conclusions: The results of this study show that although DFA achieved better bone contact, both DFA and EFA can be considered as appropriate coating materials.