Statement of problem: Despite an improved bone reactions of Mg-incorporated implants in the animals, little yet has been carried out by the experimental investigations in functional loading conditions.
Purpose: This study investigated the clinical and histologic parameters of osseointegrated Mg-incorporated implants in early loading conditions.
Material and methods: A total of 36 solid screw implants (diameter 3.75 mm, length 10 mm) were placed in the mandibles of 6 beagle dogs. Test groups included 18 Mg-incorporated implants. Turned titanium implants served as control. Gold crowns were inserted 4 weeks after implant placement and the dogs were immediately put on a food diet. Implants were observed for 10 weeks after loading. Radiographic assessments and stability tests were performed at the time of fixture installation, 2(nd) stage surgery, 4 weeks after loading, and 10 weeks after loading. Histological observations and morphometrical measurements were also performed.
Results: Of 36 implants, 33 displayed no discernible mobility, corresponding to successful clinical function. There was no statistically significant difference between test implants and controls in marginal bone levels (P = .46) and RFA values. The mean BIC% in the Mg-implants was 54.5 ± 8.4%. The mean BIC% in the turned implant was 45.3 ± 12.2%. These differences between the Mg-implant and control implant were statistically significant (P = .005).
Conclusions: The anodized, Mg-incorporated implant demonstrated significantly more bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in early loading conditions.
Clinical implications: The results of this study in beagle dogs suggest the possibility of achieving predictable stability of early loaded free-standing dental implants with Mg-incorporated surface.
Keywords: Early loading; Histomorphometry; Oxidized implant.