Evaluation of Two Differently Surface-Treated Dental Implants: A Clinico-Radiographic Study

Contemporary advancements in clinical dental implant replacement of teeth emphasize the modification of titanium surfaces to enhance osseointegration. These modifications employ both additive techniques, such as bioactive coatings, and subtractive processes, including acid etching and grit-blasting. Objective: The present clinic-radiographic study was conducted to evaluate clinical and radiological parameters around a conventional SLA coated and a CaP-coated sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface implants during the first year after placement. Materials and Methods: The clinical study was conducted on 20 patients who were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group and a test group. In the test group, dental implants coated with calcium phosphate nanocrystals were placed in the prepared osteotomy site. In contrast, the control group received standard implants without any coating, which were placed similarly. The patients' soft tissue and hard tissue health were evaluated and recorded at regular intervals - 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year post-implant placement. A statistical analysis was then performed. Results: Plaque Index, Gingival Index, and Modified Sulcular Bleeding Index Crestal bone level were evaluated and showed no statistically significant result when observed on the mesial and distal aspects at 1-year but a statistically significant difference was found in pocket probing depth and densitometric analysis to assess the bone density (mesial, distal and apical) 1-year post implant placement. Conclusion: While the calcium phosphate-coated implants showed a notable reduction in crestal bone loss compared to the control group, this difference didn't reach statistical significance. However, a statistically significant difference was observed in the densitometric analysis, which showed an increased bone density (mesial, distal, and apical end) around Calcium Phosphate Coated Implants.