Biological evaluation of new β(Zr-Ti)-alloys for dental implantation

Osteointegration is a key factor for successful implant ingrowth. It depends on quality of bone, lack of initial stability, excessive loading, loosening or fracture of screw, and fracture of implant itself. Other factors that can affect osteointegration are implant composition and features of implant surface. There are a lot of research data showing better results of implantation in alloys combined with Ti, Co, Ni and Zr. But the mechanism of combined, as well as Zr-based alloys’ influence on bone ingrowth around implant is still not known. The aim of this research was an in vivo evaluation of β (Zr-Ti)-alloy compared to the traditional TiVT-6 dental implant. In the experiment 30 rabbits were used for implantation of β (Zr-Ti)-alloys (experimental group) and TiVT6 dental implants (control group) in distal epiphysis of the femur. We analyzed bone/implant interface and controlled ion content (Ca and P) 1, 3, and 6 months after implantation by Scanning Electron Microscope with X-Ray analysis REMMA-102 (“Selmy”, Ukraine). After implantation of TiVT6-alloy we can see formation of connective tissue “cuff” that being tightly connected with implant does not turn into bone tissue. These processes lead to hypermobility and overloud of implant, and simultaneously decrease mechanical forces on surrounding bone tissue, which can lead to implant failure and complications in surrounding bone tissue. At the same time β (Zr-Ti)-alloy with modified surface is surrounding with woven bone tissue one month after the implantation that turns into lamellar bone in three months. Summarizing our data, we can suggest that β (Zr-Ti)-alloy is more suitable for implant material due to its osteostimulatory potential.