Mechanical Properties of Bone-Implant Interface: An In Vitro Comparison of the Parameters at Placement and at 3 Months

Four biomechanical parameters-peak force, vertical displacement, interface stiffness, and strain energy-were defined to evaluate bone-implant interface properties. These parameters were measured at placement and after 3 months of healing during push-in tests on commercially pure titanium implants placed in the mandibles of dogs in a one-phase nonsubmerged procedure. Comparison of the results showed that peak force, interface stiffness, and strain energy increased after 3 months of healing, but vertical displacement decreased. These findings suggest that the interface stiffness, which is considered a major factor for implant success, increases during 3 months of healing in dogs, which corresponds to a 4- to 6-month healing period in human mandibles. Keywords: bone implant interface, compressive peak force, healing, interface stiffness, titanium screw implants