Efficacy of Octacalcium Phosphate Collagen Composite for Titanium Dental Implants in Dogs

BACKGROUND Previous studies showed that octacalcium (OCP) collagen composite (OCP/Col) can be used to repair human jaw bone defects without any associated abnormalities. The present study investigated whether OCP/Col could be applied to dental implant treatment using a dog tooth extraction socket model. METHODS The premolars of dogs were extracted; each extraction socket was extended, and titanium dental implants were placed in each socket. OCP/Col was inserted in the space around a titanium dental implant. Autologous bone was used to fill the other sockets, while the untreated socket (i.e., no bone substitute material) served as a control. Three months after the operation, these specimens were analyzed for the osseointegration of each bone substitute material with the surface of the titanium dental implant. RESULTS In histomorphometric analyses, the peri-implant bone areas (BA%) and bone-implant contact (BIC%) were measured. There was no difference in BA% or BIC% between OCP/Col and autologous bone. CONCLUSION These results suggested that OCP/Col could be used for implant treatment as a bone substitute.