Effects of anodized implants coated with Escherichia coli-derived rhBMP-2 in beagle dogs

This study evaluated the effects of Escherichia coli-derived rhBMP-2 (ErhBMP-2) coated onto anodized implants to stimulate bone formation, osseointegration and vertical bone growth in a vertical bone defect model. Six young adult beagle dogs were used. After a 2-month bone healing period, anodized titanium implants (8 mm in length) were placed 5.5 mm into the mandibular alveolar ridge. Eighteen implants coated with ErhBMP-2 (BMP group) and another 18 uncoated implants (control group) were installed using a randomized split-mouth design. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were measured. Specimens were fabricated for histometric analysis to evaluate osseointegration and bone formation. The ISQ values at 8 weeks after implant placement were significantly higher in the BMP group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Histological observations showed that the changes in bucco-lingual alveolar bone levels were higher in the BMP group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The ErhBMP-2 coated anodized implants can stimulate bone formation and increase implant stability significantly on completely healed alveolar ridges in dogs. Further studies evaluating the effects of ErhBMP-2 on osseointegration in the bone–implant interface are warranted.