The influence of mechanical loading on osseointegration: an animal study

Abstract

Osseointegration of implant provides a stable support for the prosthesis under functional loads. The timing of loading is a critical parameter that can govern the success of the osseointegration of implant. However, it is not clear whether the early loading can affect the success of osseointegration, or whether the no-loading healing period can be shortened. This paper presents an animal study conducted to investigate how external loads influence the osseointegration at the initial stage of healing. Titanium implants were inserted into the goat tibia laterally, and different axial loadings were applied to the implants in 4 weeks after surgery. After the 2 weeks period of early loading, animals were sacrificed and the tibia bones with the implants were cut off from the bodies. Then mechanical test was employed to find out the differences in the pull-out force, and shear strength at the bone-implant interface between the non-loaded and the loaded implants. The implant-bone interfaces were analyzed by histomorphometric method, SEM (scanning electron micrograph) and EDS (energy density spectrum). The results indicated that the bone-implant interface did not well integrate 4 weeks after surgery, and the fibrous tissue could be found at the interfaces of the specimens without loadings. While the results of loaded specimens with 10 N axial force showed that that parts of the interface were well integrated, indicating that the early mild loading may play a positive role in the process of the osseointegration. The results support that a certain range of external loading would influence the process of osseointegration, and appropriate mechanical loading can be applied to shorten the osseointegration period after surgery.

Synthesis of multifunctional chlorhexidine-doped thin films for titanium-based implant materials

“…After the experimental periods, cells were fixed in Karnovsky's solution for 12 h at 4 °C and post-fixed in 1% osmium tetraoxide for 1 h at room temperature protected from light [21]. Cells were dehydrated in ethanol series (35,50,70,90 and 100%) at room temperature for 10 min each.…”

“…The proliferation and attachment of osteoblast cells has been one of the main factors in the development of new dental implant surfaces, targeted to improve bone formation after implant installation [70]. However, preventing initial infection after implant placement has been considered a major factor in the development of new biomaterial surfaces.…”

Osseointegration of standard and mini dental implants: a histomorphometric comparison

“…An overdose of pentobarbital sodium 1 ml/kg intravenously, under general anesthesia, was used for this purpose [47, 48]. …”

“…To do so, a glass cover slip was glued onto the trimmed surface of the specimen block using cyanoacrylate glue. These blocks were cut with a low speed saw under water along the lateral surface of the implant [47, 48]. The implant bearing blocks were cut parallel to the long axis of the implant, and 30-μm-thick specimens were obtained.

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