Evaluation of the Effects of Surface Treatments of Tantalum Implants with Plasma Nitride on Removal Torque Values and Area of New Bone Formation: An Animal Study

Introduction: The objective of the present study was to compare the bond strength at the bone/implant interface of two different metals (titanium and tantalum) before and after plasma nitriding at 2 and 6 weeks. Methods: Titanium and tantalum metals were investigated before and after nitriding. The samples were divided into two main groups ( n  = 10): control with no surface treatment and plasma-nitride surface treatment. Torque removal test and histomorphometric analysis ( n  = 10) were performed following rabbit tibia screw implant placement. Results: Showed an increase in bone integration for plasma-nitrided tantalum samples compared with the control group; histomorphometric analysis also revealed greater bone maturation and osteoid formation after 6 weeks of bone implantation. Conclusion: Tantalum’s superior mechanical and biological properties make it a potential alternative as a dental implant material.