Histometric evaluation of bone around titanium implants with different surface treatments in rats exposed to cigarette smoke inhalation

There is a lack of histological information about the influence of cigarette smoke on bone around surface-treated implants. The aim of the present study was to test the influence of titanium surface treatment on osseointegration in animals that were exposed to intermittent cigarette smoke inhalation. Twenty-two male Wistar rats were used. One tibia, chosen at random, received a machined titanium implant (MI) while the other received an aluminum oxide-blasted surface implant (ABI). The animals were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Group 1 - control (n=11) and Group 2 - intermittent cigarette smoke inhalation (n=11). Sixty days after surgery, the animals were sacrificed. The degree of bone-to-implant contact (BIC), bone filling (BF) within the limits of the threads of the implants and bone density (proportion of mineralized bone in a 500-mu m-wide zone lateral to the implant - BD) were measured in the cortical (zone A) and cancellous bone (zone B) areas. Data analysis showed significant differences when comparing the groups and implant surfaces in both zones for BIC (two-way ANOVA - P < 0.05). The two groups presented higher BIC mean values for ABI, when compared with MI (P < 0.05). In group 2, cigarette smoke inhalation negatively affected BF in both zones (P < 0.05). Group 2 presented a significantly decreased BD in both zones (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between surfaces in any of the groups for BD. Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that the aluminum oxide blast surface treatment may increase the degree of BIC but cannot overcome the detrimental effect of tobacco smoke on bone around titanium implants. To cite this article:Correa MG, Campos MLG, CEsar-Neto JB, Casati MZ, Nociti FH, Sallum EA. Histometric evaluation of bone around titanium implants with different surface treatments in rats exposed to cigarette smoke inhalation.Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 20, 2009; 588-593.doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0501.2008.01695.x.