Stability and Efficacy of Titanium in Osteointegration in a Rabbit Model

ABSTRACT

Osteointegration with titanium implant has become a highlight having titanium implant tightly fixed in the bone with prosthesis attaching over it. The procedure is relatively simple with no morbidity of donor site and ensues superior shape aesthetically. However, the stability of it has been in question, therefore an experiment was performed to study the actual stability and periosteal formation around the implant. This study presents a histomorphometric and biomechanical comparison of bone response between titanium and stainless steel placed in the tibia of 5 rabbits. Two implants were placed in tibia of rabbit; titanium implant in left and stainless steel implant as a control in right. As a titanium implant, Brnemark implant with depth of 4 mm and diameter of 3.75 mm which has actually been used in the reconstruction of ears was used, and the stainless steel was manufactured in the same way as titanium implant. After a healing period of 3 months, the average removal torque was 8.2 Ncm for the stainless steel implants and 26.5 Ncm for the titanium implant. Histomorphometric study revealed that the stainless steel screw demonstrated rough and irregular contact surface with partial formation of new bone and the titanium implant demonstrated smooth contact surface with a good formation of new bone. In conclusion, the results indicated that titanium surfaces achieved greater periosteal bone formation over stainless steel surfaces and provided enhanced mechanical interlocking.