Hard and soft tissue evaluation of titanium dental implants and abutments with nanotubes in canines

Background: Little is known regarding the interaction of dental implant surface nanotubes and oral soft and hard tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both histologically and radiographically the qualitative and quantitative effects of dental implant surface nanotubes on hard and soft tissue in a canine model.

Methods: Three subgroups consisting of a combination of test and control implants and abutments (Group A: control implant/control abutment, Group B: control implant/test abutment: Group C: test implant/test abutment) were placed in edentulous mandibles of six large-breed canines. Implants and abutments were placed on one side at baseline, and on the opposite side of the mandible at week 10; sacrifice occurred at week 12. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to measure newly formed hard and soft tissues histologically and radiographically.

Results: The mean radiographic change in marginal bone level from weeks 0 to 12 between implant groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Mean soft tissue contact (junctional epithelium + connective tissue) for Groups A, B, and C were 2.29, 2.33, and 2.31 mm, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) between the groups. All connective tissue fibers were oriented parallel to the abutment regardless of surface treatment.

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that healing of hard and soft tissues around implants and abutments is similar when comparing grit-blasted surfaces to machined, turned surfaces with nanotubes. Both resulted in similar soft tissue contact values, as well as connective tissue fiber orientation.