Abstract
Eight Apatite-coated sapphires and 2 Bioceram sapphire implants® were embedded in the mandible of a dog, and their mobilities were examined with Periotest®.
1. The average Periotest value (PTV) of 8 Apatite-coated sapphires was -4.4±0.8 (S.D.;n=8; range -3.0～5.6). By radiological examination, bone resorption was recognized only in the implant neck region.
2. The PTVs of 2 Bioceram sapphire implants® were＋23.2 and -1.4. Radiologically, the surface of the former was surrounded with a transparent layer and the latter showed the same figure as Apatite-coated sapphires.
3. Microscopic examination revealed that the hydroxyapatite-coated grooves of the screw were in contact with regenerative bone. The result indicates that Apatite-coated sapphire can prevent mobility. On the other hand, Bioceram sapphire implant® (PTV,＋23.2) was wrapped with fibrous connective tissue, and another one (-1.4) was in contact with bone only at the screw thread.
