Histologic evaluation of the bone integration of TiO2 blasted and turned titanium microimplants in humans

Twenty-seven patients received 2 microimplants each during implant surgery. One microimplant was blasted with 25 mum sized particles of TiO2; the othe r was left as machined i.e. a turned surface. Before insertion the surface topography was characterized with an optical confocal laser profilometer. T he surface roughness was greater than standard implants, and was similar fo r both surface modifications averaging over all parts of the implant i.e. t ops, valley and flanks. The mean surface roughness from flank measurements only replicated previously reported findings: i.e. significantly rougher su rfaces on blasted implants. After a mean healing period of 6.3 months in th e maxillae and 3.9 months in the mandible, the microimplants and surroundin g tissue were removed with a trephine burr. The histomorphometrical evaluat ion demonstrated significantly higher bone-to-implant contact for the blast ed implants, inserted in the maxilla or in the mandible. Significantly more bone was found inside the threaded area for the blasted implants in the ma ndible, but there was no difference for implants positioned in maxillae.