Soft tissue adaptation to modified titanium surfaces.

Surface modification of titanium alloy implants to enhance soft tissue adherence is important to minimize soft tissue dehiscence. This study aimed to confirm if a dual acid etched "Osseotite®" titanium surface contributes to soft tissue adherence in muscle. It also aims to explore if a radio frequency magnetron sputtered hydroxyapatite (HA)/bioglass (BG) coating can serve this purpose and provides soft tissue adherence in mucosal tissue. The study was carried out in 18 Macaca fascicularis animals, 14 Osseotite® coated Ti6Al4V bullets inserted intramuscularly and 12 HA/BG coated Ti6Al4V plates inserted into the submucosa. These were compared with machined Ti6Al4V surfaces as controls. The histological and histomorphometrical results revealed that no significant difference existed in muscle tissue response between machined and Osseotite® surfaces. On the other hand, the HA/BG coated submucosal plates showed statistically significant differences with a thinner capsule quantity (p < 0.0001), an increased capsule quality (p < 0.0001) and interface quality score (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the deposited HA/BG coatings facilitated soft tissue (mucosa) adaptation at 1 month of implant installation, whereas the acid etched Osseotite® surface did not enhance muscular adaptation.