Integration of screw implants in the rabbit: A 1-year follow-up of removable torque of titanium implants

Implants of commercially pure titanium were inserted in the rabbit tibial metaphysis. After a healing time of 3 weeks, 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo the average torque levels necessary for implant removal were 10, 16.8, 68, 77.6, and 88 Ncm, respectively. In a morphological part of the study it is demonstrated that there is a gradual increase of bone in direct contact with the implant surface with increasing time of follow-up.