Soft Tissue Healing at One-Piece Zirconia Implants Compared to Titanium and PEEK Implants of Identical Design: A Histomorphometric Study in the Dog

This study aimed to histomorphometrically evaluate the soft tissue reactions of one-piece zirconia implants versus titanium implants in regard to their insertion depth. Four one-piece implants of identical geometry were inserted on each side of six mongrel dogs: an uncoated zirconia implant, a zirconia implant coated with a calcium liberating titanium oxide, a titanium implant, and an experimental implant made of a synthetic material. Using a split-mouth design, they were inserted in both submerged and nonsubmerged healing modes. After 4 months, dissected blocks were stained with toluidine blue to histologically assess the marginal portion of the implant mucosa, apical extension of the barr…