The purpose of this study was to compare surface treatment and bone formation adjacent to 2 screw shaped implants of similar design manufactured by two different companies. The test implants were manufactured by SERF (Decines, France), while the controls were manufactured by Nobelpharma (Goteborg, Sweden). The surface of 3 standard 3.75 mm test and 3 standard 3.75 mm control implants were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray micro-analysis, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and surface topography analysis. There was a microscopic difference on the thread design (SEM). Test threads were flat at the edge, while controls appeared rounded at the edge of the threads. Tests and controls were made of commercially pure titanium, with a regular topography. Results of ESCA indicated that the carbon peak for SERF implants was slightly higher than for the Brånemark implants. 5 test and 5 control implants were installed into the epiphyseal head of the femur of 2 ewes using a standardized surgical technique. In order to stain the bone for histologic analysis, oxytetracycline injections were given 17 and 8 days before the animals were sacrificed. The animals were sacrificed 12 weeks after implant placement. Histomorphometric analysis indicated that there was an average bone to implant contact orf 68% for the test implants and 61% for the controls. There were no statistical differences between tests and controls. The preliminary results of this pilot study indicated that early bone healing for the 2 screw shaped implants investigated were similar.

This new technology improves the treatment outcome and optimizes the surgical procedure.