Aims: The chemical and biochemical modification of dental implant surfaces enables a new approach to influence the peri-implant bone formation. Bone formation in regions of reduced bone quality is of special interest. Aim of this study was to examine the influence of different implant surface modifications in an osteoporotic animal model.

Methods: Experimental, sandblasted, acid-etched implants were modified by different means: 1: reference (sandblasted, acid-etched), 2: conditioned surface, 3: collagen/chondroitin sulphate coating, 4: statine-coating, 5: zoledronic acid coating. Implants (one implant/animal) were placed in the proximal tibia of 40 ovarectomized (OVX, all implant surfaces) and 8 sham operated (reference surface) rats. Healing time was two and four weeks. After sacrifice, the bone-implant-contact (BIC) was histomorphometrically evaluated.

Results: The comparison between sham operated and OVX animals showed a significant higher BIC at two and four weeks for the reference surface in sham animals ( p < 0.01). For OVX animals, there were no significant differences in BIC between the surfaces after two weeks. After four weeks zoledronic acid coated surfaces showed significant more BIC compared to all other surfaces ( p < 0.007).

Conclusion: In conclusion, bone formation was reduced in osteoporotic animals in comparison to sham animals. For OVX animals, zoledronic acid coated surfaces showed a significant increase in bone formation after four weeks of healing compared to other surface coatings.

Conflict of interest: None declared.