Effect of calcitonin on bone formation around titanium implant. A histometric study in rabbits.

Bone healing around titanium implants has already been evaluated; however, the effect of drugs such as calcitonin during the period of bone maturation around titanium implants has not yet been investigated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of calcitonin administration on the late period of bone healing following titanium implant insertion. Twenty-seven adult New Zealand rabbits received one implant in each femur. Thirteen animals were randomly selected as the test group (2 IU/kg--calcitonin) and fourteen animals served as control (saline). The animals were sacrificed 6, 8, 12 and 18 weeks after surgery. Endosteal/periosteal bone length (EB/PB), endosteal/periosteal bone area (EBA/PBA) and total cortical length (TCL) around the implants were analyzed. After 6, 8, 12 and 18 weeks, a positive time effect was strongly observed (P < 0.05). Considering the treatment factor, there was a positive effect of calcitonin on EBA and EB variables at 12 weeks and TCL at 18 weeks. In conclusion, the administration of salmon calcitonin to healthy animals may improve bone mass at the later stages of bone healing following titanium implant insertion.