OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating the integration of zirconia implants in a rat
femur model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Zirconia implants with two distinct surface topographies were compared with
titanium implants with similar topographies.
Titanium and zirconia implants were placed into the
femurs of 42 male
Sprague-Dawley rats. Four groups of implants were utilized:
machined zirconia implants, zirconia implants with a rough surface,
machined titanium implants, and
titanium implants with an electrochemically roughened surface. After a
healing period of 28 days, the load-bearing capacity between the
bone and the implant surface was evaluated by a push-in test. Additionally, after a
healing period of 14 and 28 days, respectively,
bone tissue specimens containing the implants were processed and
histologically analyzed. RESULTS: The
mean mineralized bone-to-implant contact showed the highest values after 14 and 28 days for the rough surfaces (
titanium: 36%/45%; zirconia: 45%/59%). Also, the push-in test showed higher values for the textured implant surfaces, with no
statistical significance between
titanium (34 N) and zirconia (45.8 N). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of the animal investigation presented, it was concluded that all tested zirconia and
titanium implant surfaces were biocompatible and osseoconductive. The presented surface modification of zirconia implants showed no difference regarding the
histological and biomechanical results compared with an established electrochemically modified
titanium implant surface.
