Histological Evaluation of Zirconia Implant with newly developed rough surface

Objectives:

Zirconia ceramic has some advantages in terms of (its) biocompatibility and mechanical property. Therefore, it has been used widely in clinic already for abutment or super-structure on implant. The zirconia ceramic is also attractive material for dental implant body. Clinical application of zirconoa implant has been started already. However, little is known about how its surfaces texture influences the response of surrounding tissue. It is difficult to make rough surface with etched technique or blast treatment on zirconia. We developed zirconia implant with new rough surface by laser irradiation and the tissue response was investigated with animal model

Methods:

The experimental zirconia (Yttria Stabilized Zirconia) implants (1.6 mm in diameter, 7.0 mm in length) with thread were fabricated with grind method. The smooth surface and rough surface implants were prepared. The rough surface was made by YVO4 laser irradiation. Four weeks old SD rats were used for this study. The experimental implants were placed in rat tibias. The specimens were harvested at 4 weeks after placement. The specimens were observed with light microscope.

Results:

Typical 3 threads were selected in specimen under light microscope, and the bone-implant contact ratio (BIC) was circulated. BIC of smooth and rough implants were 27.9 % and 64 % respectively.

Conclusion:

It has been clarified that some types of rough surface titanium implant have advantages of ossointegration achievement. Zirconia ceramic is expected as next generation material of dental implant. We developed new rough surface zironia implant and investigated response of bone. As the result, it is suggested that rough surface of zirconia developed by our laser irradiation system enhances to achieve ossointegration compared with smooth surface.