Sequential osseointegration of a novel implant system based on <scp>3D</scp> printing in comparison with conventional titanium implants

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the sequential osseointegration of a novel titanium implant system based on a 3D printing technology in comparison with conventional titanium implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two novel titanium implants based on 3D printing were tested in the mandible of eight Beagle dogs. As a control, two different commercially available titanium implants were used. The implants were staged to accommodate healing periods of 2 and 6 weeks. The primary outcome variable was bone-to-implant contact (BIC) in non-decalcified tissue sections and micro-CT analysis. RESULTS Histomorphometrically, the proportions of tissues adjacent to the implant surfaces were similar for all implants, whereas the BIC percentage of new mineralized bone was greater for the control implants after both 2 and 6 weeks (p