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 mm(2) 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/mm(2) ) compared with group MS at 4 weeks (3.7 +/- 1.8 /mm(2) ; 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.