In vivo performance of a modified CSTi dental implant coating

Cylindrical dental implants coated with cancellous structured titanium (CST i) were studied in a dog model. CSTi-2-coated and hydroxyapatite-coated (HA ) implants were placed in 8 mongrel dogs. The porosity of the CSTi-2 coatin g was 9% less than that of the previously studied CSTi-1, resulting in grea tly improved mechanical strength and cosmetic appearance. A slightly lower level of bone ingrowth was observed for CSTi-2 than for CSTi-1. However, th e in vivo attachment strength of the CSTi-2 coating was comparable both to CSTi-1 and to an HA-coated control after 8 weeks. Measured porosity is tech nique dependent; digital analysis of in vitro samples yielded higher porosi ty values than in vivo histology cross sections. (Int J Oral Maxillofac Imp lants 1998;13:749-757).