The influence of storage media on early osseointegration of titanium implants

Introduction: Marketing of implants stored in different media other than air could improve implant wettability resulting in a favorable implant bone interface with subsequent optimized early osseointegration. The effect that the different storage media, such as saline, air and argon, have on the early osseointegration of plasma treated, titanium dental implants was investigated and was compared to conventional implants stored in air, in an ovine pelvis model. 96 implants were inserted in the iliac crests of four sheep and tested for osseointegration by comparing insertion torque values and removal torque values at 4 and 6 weeks postinsertion. Twelve implants were inserted in each ovine iliac crest (24 per sheep representing six implants from each experimental group). Saline demonstrated the highest increase in torque values with argon demonstrating a linear decrease. The average percentage gain for each of the storage media at 4 weeks were plasma/air = +2%, plasma/saline = +30.4%, air = +9.6% and plasma/argon = −30.4%. The results were only statistically significant for the saline group at 4 weeks and the argon group at 2 weeks. All storage media demonstrated an initial decrease in torque value of 14.25% at 2 weeks before a strong rise in torque value could be observed. Saline as a storage media has great potential for improving early osseointegration. An interesting observation made was that the majority of the dental implants tend to demonstrate an initial decrease in osseointegration before demonstrating a strong rise in torque values. Further studies are recommended for the periods of 6 and 8 weeks after implant placement. Context: Research protocol. Aims: The purpose of the study was to compare the early osseointegration potential of plasma-enhanced implants stored in different storage mediums, to conventional implant stored in air. Settings and Design: The experiment consisted out of a comparative in vivo pilot study in which the early osseointegration potential of implants stored in four different storage media was compared. These implants were inserted in the iliac crest of four sheep, and the degree of osseointegration of the different groups was compared at 2 and 4 weeks after insertion. The osseointegration potential of the implants was evaluated by measuring and documenting the insertion torque and comparing it to the removal torque values of each implant. Subjects and Methods: A total of 96 (n = 96) dental implants (3.75 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length), including 24 plasma-enhanced dental implants stored in air; 24 plasma-enhanced dental implants stored in argon; 24 plasma-enhanced dental implants stored in saline and 24 conventional dental implants stored in air; were inserted into the iliac crests of 4 sheep. The insertion torque values were measured and documented on insertion. Two sheep were euthanized after a period of 2 weeks postinsertion, and the maximum removal torque value of each implant was measured and documented. The remaining two sheep were euthanized at 4 weeks postinsertion and the maximum removal torque of each implant measured and documented. The torque values measured on insertion, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks postinsertion were then compared and used to determine the level of osseointegration as well as the potential for further osseointegration. Statistical Analysis Used: Comparative graphical analysis was performed. Significance was determinant at P < 0.05. Results: Saline demonstrated the highest increase in torque values with argon demonstrating a linear decrease. The average percentage gain for each of the storage media at 4 weeks were plasma/air = +2%, plasma/saline = +30.4%, air= +9.6%, and plasma/argon = −30.4%. The results were only statistically significant for the saline group at 4 weeks and the air group at 2 weeks. All storage media demonstrated an initial decrease in torque value of 14.25% at 2 weeks before a strong rise in torque value could be observed. Conclusion: Saline as a storage media has great potential for improving early osseointegration. The majority of the dental implants tend to demonstrate an initial decrease in osseointegration before demonstrating a strong rise in torque values. Further studies are recommended for periods of 6 and 8 weeks after implant placement.