RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Laser profiling of titanium has been of considerable interest in the field of oral implantology. However, very few pre-clinical and clinical studies have been performed with laser-treated implants, especially focusing on isotropic roughness topography. The aim of the study was to compare the cortical bone response of Ti-implants discs treated with pico-sec pulsed laser (LAS) and conventional grit-blasted/acid-etched (GAE) method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prior to the in vivo experiment, in vitro cell viability testing of the LAS surface treatment was preformed. Then, 5 mm diameter Titanium (Ti) discs treated with LAS and GAE method were implanted in a pre-validated rabbit tibia cortical bone model and assessed with histology and histomorphometric measurements. In total, eight New Zealand White adult female rabbits were used. RESULTS: The in vitro cell viability testing with osteoblast-like cells confirmed cytocompatibility of the LAS surface treatment. Further, the rabbit experiment demonstrated a bone-to-implant contact of 68% (±17) for the laser-treated discs and 49% (±21) for the GAE discs 8 weeks after the implantation, which was statistically not different. CONCLUSION: Laser surface treatment gives the same results to the grit-blasting/acid-etched method and thus is a valid alternative to conventional roughening for dental implant materials.