Bone osseointegration tests performed on titanium dental root implants made by laser processing

Bone in-growth tests were performed on dental root implants fabricated using an improved technique of laser processing of Ti powders. This technique consists of combined laser-sintering/laser-melting processes. Through this combination, implant samples were made possessing a structure composed of two different zones, namely a remelted compact core and a sintered porous shell/layer. The laser-processed implants were then inserted into the lower jawbone of a dog for bone osseointegration analysis. The results of this investigation show that it is possible to produce dental root implants possessing the required geometry, structure and strength that might be suitable for medical applications.