Effects of locally applied Insulin-like Growth Factor-I on osseointegration.

Background The aim of this study was to assess the effect of local application of IGF-I on osseointegration of dental implants placed in osteoporotic bones. Material and Methods 16 rabbits were randomly distributed into two groups: eight animals were ovariectomized and fed a low-calcium diet for six weeks, in order to induce experimental osteoporosis, and the others were sham-operated and fed a standard diet. A titanium implant was inserted into the tibiae in both groups. In half of the rabbits, 4 μg of IGF-I was applied into the ostectomy, prior to the implant insertion. A total of 32 implants were placed. Animals were sacrificed two weeks after surgery and decalcified samples were process…