Abstract
Statement of problem. Various anodic oxidation techniques can be applied to dental implant surfaces. But the condition for optimal anodized surfaces has not been described yet. Purpose. The purpose of this investigation was to compare an implant that was oxidized by another method with $TiUnite^{TM}$ through resonance frequency analysis and histomorphometry. Material and methods. Turned (control), $TiUnite^{TM}$ and another oxidized fixtures, which used $Ca^{2+}$ solution for anodic oxidation, were placed in the tibiae of 5 New Zealand White rabbits. The bone responses were evaluated and compared by consecutive resonance frequency analysis once a week for 6 weeks and histomorphometry after a healing period of 6 weeks. Results. At the first week, both oxidized implants showed significantly higher implant stability quotient (ISQ) values than the control. No significant differences in resonance frequency analysis were found between the two oxidized groups for 6 weeks. The means and standard deviations of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratios were $71.0{\pm}4.2$ for $TiUnite^{TM}$, $67.5{\pm}10.3$ for the $Ca^{2+}$-based oxidation fixture, $22.8{\pm}6.5$ for the control. Both oxidized implants were significantly superior in osseointegration to the turned one. There was, however, no statistically significant difference between the two oxidized implants. Conclusion. $TiUnite^{TM}$ and the $Ca^{2+}$-based oxidation fixture showed superior early bone response than the control with respect to resonance frequency analysis and histomorphometry. No significant differences between the oxidized groups, however, were found in this investigation using the rabbit tibia model.
