Histologic and histomorphometric behavior of microgrooved zirconia dental implants with immediate loading

Purpose: The study aims to assess the total soft tissue (ST) width, crestal bone level (CBL), bone-to-implant contact (BIC), and bone density (BD) for zirconia implants textured with microgrooved surfaces and immediately loaded. Materials and Methods: This study included 51 implants; one implant from each study group was retained for surface characterization. The 48 remaining implants were inserted randomly in premolar areas of both sides of the healed edentulous lower jaws of foxhound dogs. They were divided into three groups of 16: control (titanium); test A (zirconia), and test B (microgrooved zirconia). The implants were splinted and covered with an acrylic bridge. A split-mouth design was used and immediate occlusal loading was applied on one side, while the other side did not have occlusal contact. ST, CBL, BIC, and BD were evaluated after 3 months. The effects of immediate loading on these parameters were analyzed. Results: All the implants were osseointegrated. ST was established at 3 months with mean values of 2.9±0.4mm for all groups. No differences were appreciated between loaded and unloaded sides regarding ST (p>.05). CBL showed a mean of 1.2±0.3mm for all groups without differences between loaded and unloaded sides (p>.05). BIC percentages were significantly higher for loaded all-microgrooved implants (p<.05). BD percentages were higher in areas close to all-microgrooved implants (p<.05) and significantly higher for loaded implants than unloaded. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present study, it may be concluded that for zirconia dental implants with microgrooved surfaces and immediate loading, the thickness of STs remains stable resulting in 3mm mean biologic width, that crestal bone preservation is related to insertion depth, and that higher BIC percentages and increased BD around implants microgrooved over the entire intraosseous area may be expected at 3 months following implant insertion and immediate loading.