Performance of a New Al₂O₃/Ce-TZP Ceramic Nanocomposite Dental Implant: A Pilot Study in Dogs

Abstract

Although titanium remains as the prevalent material in dental implant manufacturing new zirconia-based materials that overcome the major drawbacks of the standard 3Y-yttria partially-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) are now emerging. In this study, a new ceramic nanocomposite made of alumina and ceria-stabilized TZP (ZCe-A) has been used to produce dental implants with the mechanic and topographic characteristics of a pilot implant design to evaluate bone and soft tissue integration in a dog model (n = 5). Histological cross-section analysis of the implanted ceramic fixations (n = 15) showed not only perfect biocompatibility, but also a high rate of osseous integration (defined as the percentage of bone to implant contact) and soft tissue attachment. This clinical success, in combination with the superior mechanical properties achieved by this Al₂O₃/Ce-TZP nanocomposite, may place this material as an improved alternative of traditional 3Y-TZP dental implants.

Keywords: Al-TZP; Ce-TZP; ceramic implant; in vivo study; nanocomposite; zirconia implants.

Figure 1

SEM micrographs of the ZCe-A nanocomposite at different magnification. (a) 10,000× and (b) 40,000×.

Figure 2

ALP expression (absorbance at 405 nm) achieved on polished and grit-blasted discs after incubation of SAOS-2 for seven days. The error bars represent standard deviation values.

Figure 3

SPARC (green)—RUNX2 (red)—DAPI (blue) staining of SAOS-2 cells incubated for 48 h on the surface of polished and grit-blasted ZCe-A, SPA-05, and 3Y-TZP samples.

Figure 4

3D profiles of a ZCE-A implant surface at different angles. (a) oblique view and (b) front view.

Figure 5

Transversal cross-sections of different nanocomposite ZCe-A implant-bone interfaces after eight weeks of healing. (a,b) show two different interfaces.

Figure 6

Bone apposition on the surface of a ZCe-A implant after eight weeks of healing (longitudinal cross-section). The bone in contact with the implant shows a lamellar and Haversian structure. (a) left side and (b) right side of the implant

Figure 7

Contact between a ZCe-A nanocomposite implant and soft gingival peri-implant tissue after eight weeks of healing (longitudinal cross-section). (a,b) show two different interfaces.

Figure 8

Osseo-integrated ZCe-A nanocomposite implant after eight weeks of implantation in the posterior maxilla of a Beagle dog at different magnifications. (a) scale bar 2 mm and (b) scale bar 800 µm.