Effects of non-thermal plasma on sandblasted titanium dental implants in beagle dogs

Background: In this study, we investigated the effects of treating dental implants made from titanium with argon based non-thermal plasma, immediately before insertion on implant stability and bone formation. Biodegradable sandblasting and acid etching had been previously used to modify the surface of the implants. Methods: To obtain data for 4-time points in triplicate with references, a total of 36 dental implants were divided into 2 groups; 18 implants served as the experimental group and received a spray containing non-thermal plasma, while the other 18 implants served as controls. Two treated and two untreated implants were each inserted in the jaws of 9 beagle dogs. After periods of 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the Implant Stability Quotient scores were determined and histometric values obtained. Results: Plasma spray treatment increased the healing time slightly during the early recovery period (4th to 8th week, p = 0.1595 and 0.1041, respectively), but was not profoundly effective in the later recovery stage (12th week, p = 0.4942). Both non-decalcified histometric measurements and bone growth analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the plasma spray group and the controls at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Conclusion: Non-thermal plasma did not enhance the stability of the implants nor did it increase bone formation in our animal models. Copyright (C) 2018, the Chinese Medical Association. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.