The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability and osseointegration of implant with different wettability using resonance frequency analysis (RFA) and histomorphometric analysis (bone implant contact, BIC; and bone area fraction occupied, BAFO) after 2 and 4 weeks in rabbit tibiae. Thirty-two Morse taper implants (length 7 mm, diameter 3.5 mm) were divided according to surface characteristics (n=8): Neo, sandblasted and dual acidetched; and Aq, sandblasted followed by dual acid-etched and maintained in an isotonic solution of 0.9% sodium chloride. Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were used. Two implants of each group were installed in the right and left tibiae according to the experimental periods. The RFA (Ostell®) was obtained immediately and after the sacrifice (2 and 4 weeks). The bone/implant blocks were processed for histomorphometric analysis. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test and Pearson's correlation for ISQ, BIC and BAFO parameters (p=0.05). No significant effect of implant, period of evaluation or interaction between implant and period of evaluation was found for BIC and BAFO values (p>0.05). Only period of evaluation had significant effect for RFA values at 4 weeks (p=0.001), and at 2 weeks (p<0.001). RFA values were significantly higher at the final period of evaluation compared with those obtained at early periods. There was a significant correlation between BIC values and BAFO values (p=0.009). Both implant surfaces, Aq and Neo, were able to produce similar implant bone integration when normal cortical bone instrumentation was performed.
Influence of Implant Surfaces o n O s s e o i n t e g r a t i o n : A Histomorphometric and Implant S t a b i l i t y S t u d y i n R a b b i t s