Application of capacitively coupled electric field enhances periimplant osteogenesis in the dog mandible.

PURPOSE: Expeditious postoperative ingrowth of bone into dental implants is desired for clinically successful fixation of oral implants. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of applying a capacitively coupled electric field (CCEF) on periimplant osteogenesis in the dog mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve adult male beagles were used in this study. All of the premolars on both sides of the mandible were removed from each dog. A POI (Ti-6Al-4V) 3-piece implant (3.7 mm in diameter and 8.0 mm in length) whose surface had been treated with anodic oxidation was placed into each test site by self-tapping. Daily application of CCEF (8 h/day) was initiated on the day following the surgery and was continued through the day of sacrifice. A CCEF was induced by an external source delivering 10-Vp-p, 60-kHz sine-wave signals through an oral electrode plate. One side of the mandible of each dog was treated with CCEF, while the other side was not. On the control side, an oral electrode plate was attached for 8 hours per day, but CCEF was not applied. The effect of daily application of CCEF on the ingrowth of bone into the implant was examined at 14, 21, or 30 days after implant placement. A fourth control group was not treated with CCEF and was maintained for 90 days to confirm that CCEF treatment enhances bone ingrowth in dental implants. RESULTS: Daily application of CCEF significantly increased the bone-contact ratio at days 14, 21, and 30 after implant placement in comparison with the respective controls. The bone-area ratios of the 14- and 21-day CCEF-treated groups were significantly larger than those of the respective controls and were similar to those of the 90-day control group. CONCLUSION: CCEF treatment increases periimplant osteogenesis in the dog mandible, confirming its usefulness in oral implantology.