The dynamics of bone remodeling around biofunctionalized implant surfaces. A fluorescence analysis in a dog model

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone remodeling around different implant surfaces by a fluorescence analysis. Materials and Methods The mandibular bilateral premolars of 8 dogs were extracted and after 12 weeks each dog received 6 implants. The 4 experimental groups were constituted of implants with the same microstructured topography with or without some concentration of a bioactive peptide. During the healing period of 2 months, polychromatic fluorescence labeling was performed to investigate the dynamics of bone remodeling around the different implant surfaces. The bone markers were administered on the third day after implant placement and then after 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks. Results New bone formation was determined histomorphometrically by bone markers quantifications adjacent and distant to the implants surfaces. In general, the intra-group analysis showed a pattern of fluorochrome incorporation among the different groups. However, the comparison between the groups revealed a statistically significant difference in favor of the microstructured surface modified with a "low concentration of a bioactive peptide" at the adjacent area in the 4-week period only (p<0.001). Additionally at 3-day and at 6-week periods this group also achieved numerically superior values of fluorochrome incorporation. Conclusion Bone remodeling is an active process resulting from the alternation of resorptive and formative activities. There is a similar pattern of bone remodeling among the microstructured surfaces, biofunctionalized or not; however the addition of an adhesive peptide in "low concentration"favored the bone formation adjacent to the implants when compared to the other surfaces during the period evaluated.