A comparative pilot study of two dental implant metals in a pig model

PURPOSE: Successful implant treatment is based on implant stability, absence periimplant inflammation, and a functional interface between implant and bone tissue (direct bone-implant contact). The aim of this preliminary study on a pig model was to investigate how implant osseointegration was influenced by a new implant alloy. MATERIALS: Cobalt-chrome experimental implants were compared clinically and histologically with titanium implants, after a loaded healing period of 6 months. RESULTS: The clinical analyses showed absence of mobility, abscesses, or inflammation, whereas the histological analysis showed the apposition of new bone tissue that established a direct contact with implants. The comparison of different implant alloys revealed no statistical differences between the osseointegration process of tested implants and control titanium implants. CONCLUSION: This study revealed no significant short-term difference between the use of titanium and a chrome-cobalt alloy in implant effectiveness in the process of osseointegration.