Preliminary Assessment of a Hybrid Implant Design Submitted to Immediate Placement with Abutment Exposure: A Pilot Study in One Dog Model

TL;DR

A new hybrid dental implant design was tested in a dog model and showed good bone integration and tissue response under immediate loading.

Contribution

A novel hybrid conical dental implant design was evaluated for immediate placement and loading in a preclinical model.

Findings

The hybrid implant achieved 61.56% bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and 77% bone tissue to total volume (BT/TV).

Micro-CT confirmed high osseointegration with 82.20% normalized BIC (nBIC).

Peri-implant tissues showed organized connective tissue and no inflammation or bone saucerization.

Abstract

Background: Dental implants are widely used to replace missing teeth, particularly in aesthetically sensitive areas. The implant’s macrogeometry is crucial for ensuring primary stability and successful osseointegration. Internal conical connections and reactive surfaces on implants have shown positive outcomes in tissue and bone stability. In response, a hybrid conical dental implant was designed to address a variety of clinical scenarios. Materials and Methods: This pilot study evaluated the performance of the hybrid conical implant using histological and micro-CT analysis in a preclinical model with immediate loading. Five implants were placed in a mongrel dog, and histomorphometric and micro-CT assessments were performed after 60 days of healing. Results: Analysis showed a high degree of osseointegration, with BIC at 61.56% and BT/TV at 77%. Micro-CT confirmed these findings, with nBIC at 82.20%. Vertical measurements indicated stable crestal bone. Peri-implant tissue displayed organized supracrestal connective tissue, without signs of inflammation or bone saucerization. Polarized light microscopy revealed collagen fibers in perpendicular and oblique orientations around the abutment, suggesting mechanical integration and biological sealing despite the absence of a prosthetic crown. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this exploratory study with one animal study, the hybrid conical implant showed favorable biological and structural responses under immediate loading. These preliminary findings provide useful insights for the refinement of implant design, although further investigations in larger preclinical and clinical studies are required before clinical applicability can be confirmed.

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