ADAPTIVE BONE REMODELING AROUND ORAL IMPLANTS UNDER AXIAL AND NONAXIAL LOADING CONDITIONS IN THE DOG MANDIBLE

An experimental animal model is presented for the analysis of the infl uence of axial and nonaxial loading on bone remodeling around oral imp lants. Axial and nonaxial loading conditions were introduced by platin g a bilaterally supported fixed partial prosthesis and a cantilever fi xed partial prosthesis on two IMZ implants in the mandibles of beagle dogs. Quantitative and qualitative histologic analyses revealed differ ent remodeling tendencies between the loading conditions. Axial loadin g induced a more uniform, histologically quiescent remodeling response that gradually decreased from the coronal aspect to the apex of the i mplant. Nonaxial loading elicited a more dynamic remodeling of the sur rounding cortical and especially trabecular bone tissue.