In vivo electrical application on titanium implants stimulating bone formation

Background and Objective: The aim of the present in vivo study was to measurethe bone implant contact area after electrical stimulation of dental implants.Material and Methods: Ninety titanium dental implants (6 mm 9 11.5 mm)with a smooth surface were placed in six male Beagle dogs and then theimplant-bone interfaces was assessed by histological analyses after 7 and 15 d.The 12-mo-old dogs, with a weight of 15 kg, were randomly divided into twogroups based on the duration of bone healing: 7 and 15 d. Also, implants weredivided into three groups based on electrical stimulation: group A, 10 lA; groupB, 20 lA; and group C, control group. The electrical current was applied by anelectrical device coupled to the implant connection.Results: After 7 d of electrical stimulation, no statistical differences in bone–implant interface contact area were observed. However, a significantly higherbone–implant interface contact area was recorded for group B than for groupsA and C (p < 0.01) after 15 d. No statistical difference was observed betweengroups A and C (p > 0.05).Conclusion: The electrical stimulation of dental implants can generate a largerarea of bone–implant interface contact as a result of bone formation. Factorssuch as different electrical current intensity and duration should be studied infurther work to clarify the potential of this method.