Bone and tissue reaction of porous nickel-titanium alloy implant for dental implants in rabbits

Abstract

Porous nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) alloy implants have been previously introduced, and many studies have been performed. Porous Ni-Ti alloys have excellent properties for use in the dental field. Thus, the use of a porous Ni-Ti coating to combine the advantages of Ni-Ti with titanium implants should be considered. The aim of this study was to investigate the tissue response to porous Ni-Ti alloy in vivo. Three 8-mm diameter calvaria bone defects were established in New Zealand rabbits. In the control group, only a collagen membrane was applied to the defect. In experimental group I, the alloy disk was applied to the defect with a bone graft and resorbable membrane. In experimental group II, the alloy disk was placed in the defect covered by a resorbable membrane. After 4 and 8 weeks of healing, the experimental animals were euthanized for specimen preparation. Histomorphometric analysis was performed to quantify new bone formation and connective tissue. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. At 4 and 8 weeks, new bone formation was seen in all groups. The new bone formation was insufficient in the groups with the titanium implants. There was minor inflammation in the experimental groups compared with the control group. In this study, new bone formation and tissue reactions were seen around the porous Ni-Ti alloy. Minor inflammation and insufficient new bone formation were noted in the experimental groups. This meant that the porous Ni-Ti alloy affected the adjacent tissue.