Histologic and microradiographic evaluation of textured and nontextured aluminum oxide dental implants.

This paper reports the histological and microradiographical observations of macroscopically textured and nontextured aluminum oxide dental implants. Ion beam bombardment was used to produce a wafflelike pattern of surface undulations approximately 35 microns deep. Twelve nontextured and eight textured implants were placed in the healed extraction sites of the second and forth mandibular premolars of adult mongrel dogs. Eight nontextured and five textured implants remained in situ for six months. Results consistent with previously reported clinical and radiographic findings, indicated a decreased incidence of an interposed fibrous tissue-implant interface associated with the textured implants. Texturing was not found to influence the amount of vertical bone loss. Secondarily, delayed tissue fixation due to post-retrieval mechanical testing procedures resulted in loss of valuable cellular information.