The effects of implant surface roughness and surgical technique on implant fixation in an in vitro model

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between implant surface parameters, surgical approach and initial implant fixation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty tapered, conical, screw-shaped implants with machined or etched surface topography were implanted into the explanted femoral condyle of goats. The implant sites were prepared either by a conventional technique, by undersized preparation, or by the osteotome technique. Peak insertion & removal torque, bone-to-implant contacts (BIC) and morphological bone appearance were assessed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and micro-computer tomography. (micro-CT). RESULTS: Insertion and removal torque values were significantly higher for etched implants inserted with the undersized technique (115.2 +/- 31.1, 102.9 +/- 36.4 N cm) respectively. Also, the average BIC value was higher for the etched implants placed with the undersized technique (87.5 +/- 5.6), which was statistically significant compared with machined and etched implants inserted by conventional technique. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study shows that the surgical technique has a decisive effect on implant fixation (represented in this study by installation torque value/removal torque value and histomorphometric evaluation) in trabecular bone. Nevertheless, additional in vivo studies have to be done to prove the importance of surgical protocol for the final implant-bone response.