Generation of microdamage around endosseous implants

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of microdamage as a result of osteotomy preparation and/or insertion of endosseous screw-shaped titanium implants into the dog mandible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mandibular premolar regions of four young adult male Beagle dogs were used for the study. Four implant sites were prepared in the edentulous area of each mandible on each side and the sites were divided into four experimental groups. Group I included sites that contained an osteotomy preparation only. Group II included sites that contained an osteotomy preparation and were tapped but did not receive any implant. Group III included sites that contained an osteotomy preparation and were not tapped but received an implant. Group IV included sites that contained an osteotomy preparation and were tapped before implant placement. Control sites (Group V) were randomly selected from different mandibular sites. Ground sections were prepared from biopsies taken at 2 days and were examined using epifluorescence microscopy. Total number and length of microcracks for each side were compared (left vs. right) using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS: The control group (V) had fewer microcracks compared with the modalities I-IV. There were no differences in microcrack lengths between the jaw sides, treatment modalities, jaw regions and between the treatment modalities and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that most of the microcracks were generated by the osteotomy preparation and the other modalities did not appear to have any major additional effects.