REMOVAL TORQUE VALUES OF TITANIUM IMPLANTS IN THE MAXILLA OF MINIATURE PIGS

The purpose of this study was to compare side-by-side two different ti tanium screw-type implants in the maxillae of miniature pigs. The test implants had a machined and acid-etched surface (Osseotite) whereas t he control implants were sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA). After 4, 8 , and 12 weeks of healing, removal torque testing was performed to eva luate the shear strength of the bone-implant interface for both implan t types. The results demonstrated significant differences between both implant types (P < .01). Osseotite implants revealed mean removal tor que values (RTV) of 62.5 Ncm at 4 weeks, 87.6 Ncm at 8 weeks, and 95.7 Ncm at 12 weeks of healing. In contrast, the SLA implants demonstrate d mean RTV of 109.6 Ncm, 196.7 Ncm, and 186.8 Ncm at corresponding hea ling periods. The mean RTV for SLA implants was 75% to 125% higher tha n for Osseotite implants up to 3 months of healing.