Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Investigation of the Effect of Boron Coating on the Osseointegration of Zirconia Dental Implants

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors
Nazli Rabie Nezhad 1
Fariborz Vafaee 2
Maryam Purjebreil 3
Ali Kalantari Hesari 4
Fahimeh Baghaei 5
Maryam Farhadian 6
Meisam Dehnavi 1
1 Department of Periodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research center, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
2 Department of Prosthodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research Center, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
3 Department of periodontics, School of Dentistry, Dental Research center, Hamedan University of medical science, Iran
4 Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
5 Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Dental Research center, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
6 Research Center for Health Science, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i867.1065
Abstract
Background: Zirconia dental implants are a suitable alternative to titanium due to their high biocompatibility and favorable mechanical properties. However, their primary challenge is inferior osseointegration compared to other materials. Boron coating has emerged as a novel approach to enhance the surface properties of implants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of boron coating on the osseointegration of zirconia implants in an animal model.
Material and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 15 New Zealand rabbits. Zirconia implants were divided into two groups: control (uncoated) and experimental (boron-coated). The coating was applied using a thermochemical method and characterized by SEM and XRD. Implants were placed in the femur bone, and histological evaluation was performed after five weeks using SEM to measure bone-implant contact (BIC), osteocyte count, epithelial tissue integrity, and angiogenesis. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with t-tests and chi-square tests.
Results: In the boron-coated group, the mean BIC (60.92% vs. 30.98%, p=0.001), osteocyte count (631.95 vs. 319.45 cells/mm², p=0.001), epithelial tissue integrity (30% high vs. 53.3% low, p=0.005), and angiogenesis (50% high vs. 36.7% low, p=0.014) were significantly higher compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Boron coating on zirconia implants significantly improves osseointegration, which could be beneficial for patients with complex bone conditions. Further human clinical studies are recommended to confirm these findings.

Highlights

Fariborz Vafaee: Google Scholar

Maryam Purjebreil: Google Scholar

Ali Kalantari Hesari: Google Scholar

Fahimeh Baghaei: Google Scholar

Maryam Farhadian: Google Scholar

Keywords
Osseointegration
Zirconia Implant
Boron Coating
Boronization
Animal Model
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 867
3rd Week,August
July and August 2026
Pages 1065-1074

  • Receive Date 16 July 2026
  • Accept Date 03 August 2026