Secondary stability achieved in dental implants with a calcium-coated sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface and a chemically modified SLA surface placed without mechanical engagement: A preclinical study.

OBJECTIVES To assess the osseointegration of calcium-coated (CS) and chemically modified, sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (MS) dental implants with a lack of primary mechanical stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighteen implants in CS and MS groups each were loosely placed in the mandible of six mongrel dogs and allowed to heal for 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) and implant stability test (IST) values recorded periodically and bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and the number of Haversian canals per 1 mm2 measured histologically were statistically analysed (p < .05). RESULTS All CS and MS implants placed survived. Compared with immediately after installation, ISQ and IST values in both groups increased significantly to over 76 at 2 weeks (p < .0083) and remained stable thereafter. BIC was significantly greater at 8 weeks (61.3 ± 13.6% in CS group; 57.6 ± 5.9% in MS group) compared to 2 and 4 weeks in both groups (p < .017). There were no significant intergroup differences in ISQ, IST or BIC at different time points. Significantly more Haversian canals were observed in group CS (6.2 ± 1.0/mm2 ) compared with group MS at 4 weeks (3.7 ± 1.8 /mm2 ; p < .05), while intergroup difference was not significant at 8 weeks. CONCLUSION Both CS and MS implants inserted without primary stability obtained osseointegration within 2 weeks, and lamellar bone adjacent to the implants was first observed at 8 weeks. The formation of primary osteons was more active at 4 weeks in group CS than in group MS.