Clinical outcome of bactercline coated implants: preliminary report

Titanium dioxide exists in three different crystal lattices, anatase, rutile, and brookite. Normally, a stochastic distribution of two titanium-oxides (rutile and anatase) is present on the surface of the titanium, and this is responsible for the properties of the material. The anatase coating releases, under UV irradiation, free radicals such as •OH, O2–, HO2–, and H2O2. This potent oxidizing power characteristically results in the lysis of bacteria and other organic substances. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bone response to implants made of titanium alloy or coated with a new combination of anatase and Bactercline® product. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy. A total of 47 implants with 2 different surfaces (an acid-etched and sandblasted surface-Control; and an acid-etched and sandblasted surface coated with an anatase-Bactercline® solution-Test) (Blasted Wrinkled Surface - BWS) (Dental Tech, Misinto, Italy) were used. In the period between July 2009 and June 2010, 23 patients (8 females and 15 males, median age 51 ±13 years, min 27 max 72 years) were operated and 47 implants were inserted. The mean follow-up was 7 ± 3 months, min 3 max 15 months. Lost fixtures and peri-implant bone resorption were considered as predictors of clinical outcomes. Pearson Chi-square text was used. No implant was lost. The average bone resorption around implant was 0.34 mm (0.341xx mm for 23 standard and 0.338 mm for 24 Bactercline® coated implants), and no statistical difference was detected (p value =0.295).These preliminary results shown that no adverse effects on osseointegration were present and no statistically significant differences Test and Control implants after a mean of 7 months follow-up.