Implant placement enhanced by a new bioactive material

The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of bioactive glass particles of narrow size range (300-355 mu m, Biogran(TM)) in the treatment of bone defects prior to implant placement. At both sides of the mandible of 6 beagle dogs partial edentulous areas were created with removal of the intra-alveolar septa to obtain large defects, instantly filled at one side with bioactive glass particles. The other side was left empty as a control side. After a healing period of 4 months, 3 oral implants were placed in the glass-treated area and 5 in the control zone. Half of the implants were left subgingivally for 3 months and than resected. The other half of the implants were loaded with fixed prostheses for 7 weeks and than sacrificed. A qualitative and quantitative histological analysis revealed substantially more, bone tissue and a higher and longer lasting remodelling activity around implants placed in glass-treated areas.