Evaluation of a Reverse-Tapered Design on the Osseointegration of Narrow-Diameter Implants in Beagle Dogs: A Pilot Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a reverse-tapered design on the osseointegration of narrow-diameter implants in comparison with a conventional tapered design in beagle dogs. Materials and Methods: All mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted bilaterally in four beagle dogs. Three months later, three kinds of implants were placed in both quadrants of the mandible: tapered narrow-diameter implants processed by cold working (TNC; n = 8), reverse-tapered narrow-diameter implants (RTN; n = 8), and reverse-tapered narrow-diameter implants processed by cold working (RTNC; n = 8). The animals were sacrificed at 4 weeks. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were measured at the time of implant placement and sacrifice. Histomorphometric analysis was performed. Results: The baseline ISQ values were significantly lower in the RTN (56.0 ± 11.6) and RTNC (57.2 ± 9.8) than in the TNC (68.0 ± 5.4; P = .021). At 4 weeks, the TNC (69.9 ± 5.1) exhibited significantly higher ISQ values compared with the RTNC (61.6 ± 4.1; P = .024). Histologic analysis in the RTN and RTNC revealed osseointegration without any signs of inflammation; however, unresolved coronal gap or dehiscence was also observed. The total bone-to-implant contact ratios (BIC) in TNC, RTN, and RTNC were 55.1% ± 11.5%, 47.8% ± 19.1%, and 60.2% ± 15.3%, respectively, and no significant differences were shown among them. The BIC for the coronal part in each group was 51.1% ± 29.4%, 28.8% ± 33.8%, and 23.9% ± 23.3%, respectively, and the differences were not significant. In the threaded part, TNC, RTN, and RTNC showed a BIC of 56.3% ± 9.6%, 50.7% ± 18.3%, and 65.3% ± 15.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference among them. Conclusion: The reverse-tapered design on narrow-diameter implants showed a lower initial stability than the conventional tapered design; however, there was equivalent osseointegration in an early healing phase. Keywords: animal, dental implant, histology, osseointegration, titanium