Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of implant coating with laminin‐1 on the early stages of osseointegration in vivo.
Materials and Methods
Turned titanium implants were coated with the osteoprogenitor‐stimulating protein, laminin‐1 (TL). Their osteogenic performance was assessed with removal torque, histomorphometry, and nanoindentation in a rabbit model after 2 and 4 weeks. The performance of the test implants was compared with turned control implants (T), alkali‐ and heat‐treated implants (AH), and AH implants coated with laminin‐1.
Results
After 2 weeks, TL demonstrated significantly higher removal torque as compared with T and equivalent to AH. Bone area was significantly higher for the test surface after 4 weeks, while no significant changes were detected on the micromechanical properties of the surrounding bone.
Conclusions
Within the limitations of this study, our results suggest a great potential for laminin‐1 as a coating agent. A turned implant surface coated with laminin‐1 could enhance osseointegration comparable with a bioactive implant surface while keeping the surface smooth.