A New Material For Detecting Submerged Implants: An Animal Experiment

Abstract

Objective: There are difficulties in determining the location of submerged implants when cover screws and healing screws are to be replaced. Because of this, a new implant cover screw has been designed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of a novel implant cover screws in rabbits. Methods: 10 New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. Diastema regions behind the incisor teeth were used for the placement of cover screws. In the control group, the screws (n=20) that received no processing were placed whereas, in the experimental group, the screws (n=20) that top surfaces were coated with europium and dysprosium doped strontium aluminate were placed to the diastema regions. Animals were sacrificed after 6 weeks. Dental LED curing light was applied to the oral mucosa regions in which screws were placed in the experimental group just after sacrification and the visibility of the screws was evaluated. To determine the biocompatibility of the coated screws, oral mucosas which contacted with the screws, livers and kidneys were removed and examined histopathologically. Results: After light application, only the screws in the upper jaws of the experimental group became visible (n=10). Histopathological examinations performed on the kidneys, livers and oral mucosa tissues which contacted with the screws. There were no significant differences between the experimental and control groups regarding these tissues. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the titanium implant cover screws coated with europium and dysprosium doped strontium aluminate were biocompatible for rabbits.