Early healing of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets: An experimental study in the beagle dog. II: Ridge alterations

Aims: To describe the early phases of healing at the alveolar ridge around dental implants placed into fresh extraction sockets and to study whether (i) the dimension of the socket and (ii) a new implant surface nano-topography may have any influence. Materials and Methods: Sixteen beagle dogs received 64 test (new surface) and control implants randomly placed at the distal socket of 3P3 and 4P4. The implant shoulder was levelled with the marginal buccal bone crest. Animals were sacrificed at 4 h, 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks for histological examination. Results: Bone loss occurred at the buccal crest between the 4-h and 1-week healing intervals, being more pronounced at the third premolar site [vertical bone loss between day 0 and 8 weeks 1.1 (0.5) mm]. The corresponding loss at the fourth premolar site was 0.3 (0.5) mm. Test sites containing implants with discrete crystalline deposition nano-particles' surface exhibited less buccal bone resorption than control sites at 8 weeks. Conclusion: Dimensions of the socket influenced the process of wound healing of implants placed into fresh extraction sockets, with more bone loss in the narrower sockets; however, the implant surface nano-topography seemed to have a limited effect in the healing of this implant surgical protocol.