Enhancement of osseointegration of tricalcium phosphate coated titanium endosseous implants with collagen gel

The effect of treating the surface of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic coated titanium implants with microfibrillar collagen gel was compared with noncollagen-coated control TCP implants. The tissue-implant interface was examined histologically and morphometrically for enhancement of osseointegration at periodic healing intervals in canine jaws. The collagen treatment resulted in consistent and accelerated bone healing into the implants. The collagen probably acted as a scaffold for outgrowth of preosteoblasts from the bone surface to the implant. In addition, a smaller inflammatory healing response was evoked by the collagen-coated implants, which indicates a better biologic acceptance of these implants.