Zirconium oxide coating improves implant osseointegration in vivo

Objectives. Zirconium is widely used as material for prosthetic devices because of its good mechanical and chemical properties. When exposed to oxygen, zirconium becomes zirconium oxide (ZO, chemically ZrO2) which is biocompatible. ZO can be also prepared as a colloidal suspension and then used to coat surfaces. Zirconium oxide coating (ZOC) can potentially have specific biologic effects. Methods. The effect of ZOC on bone throughout an in vivo study using dental implants covered with ZOC and then inserted in rabbit tibia was tested in this study. Results. The histologic analysis demonstrated that (1) bone growth is more evident around ZOC fixtures than in controls and (2) a more mature bone is present in the peri-implant ZOC surface than in controls. Significance. ZOC can enhance implant osseointegration. (C) 2007 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.