Selective laser melted titanium implants play a positive role in early osseointegration in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats

Abstract

Success of dental implant is associated with the surface modification. To evaluate whether the selective laser melting-superfinished titanium (Ti6Al4V) implants have a better early osseointegration in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats compare to pure titanium implants and acid-etched treated (SLA) implants, we designed a screw-shaped implant which was batch-fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM). Then the implants were randomly inserted in tibias of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). After surgical operation, the SLM group showed the best bone formation around the implants with the highest bone–implant contact rate among the three groups. Removal torque tests and histomorphological analyses all revealed a stronger connection between the bone because its good surface characteristics and mechanical properties. SLM implant may be a novel implant for T2DM patients.