Osseous adaptation to continuous loading of rigid endosseous implants
The effect of loading on etched Ti implants in the femurs of young (3 mo) and adult (6 mo) rabbits is investigated experimentally. The results are presented in photographs, fluorescence and polarization micrographs, radiographs, and drawings and discussed. Implantation is followed by formation of coarse woven bone within 3 d and mature lamellar bone by 6 wks, with nonspecific subperiosteal bony hypertrophy in the young rabbits only. Spring loading at 100 g produces spontaneous spiral-type fractures when applied immediately, but the implants remain rigid when loads are applied after 6-12 wks of healing. The mechanisms of bone formation involved are examined, and the potential of endosseous implants as anchors in orthodontics or dentofacial-orthopedics is confirmed.