Alcohol Intake and Osseointegration Around Implants: A Histometric and Scanning Electron Microscopy Study

Alcohol Intake and Osseointegration Around Implants: A Histometric and Scanning Electron Microscopy Study
September 2004
Bombonato-Prado, Karina Fittipaldi PhD*; Brentegani, Luiz Guilherme PhDÇƒÜ; Thomazini, Jos?© Ant?• nio PhDÇƒ?; Lachat, Jo?£ o Jos?© PhDÇƒ?; Carvalho, Teresa L??cia Lamano PhDÇƒÜ
Implant Dentistry: Volume 13(3) September 2004 pp 238-244
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
*Professor of the Histology Department, Dentistry School of University of S?£ o Paulo-USP, Brazil.
ÇƒÜProfessor of the Oral Pathology Department, Dentistry School, University of S?£ o Paulo-USP, Brazil.
Çƒ?Professor of Anatomy and Surgery Department of Medicine School of University of Ribeir?£ o Preto-USP, Brazil.
Reprint requests and correspondence to: Prof. Dr. Luiz Guilherme Brentegani, Av. do caf?© s/n- Monte Alegre, Ribeir?£o Preto-SP-Brasil, CEP: 14040-904, E-mail: lgb@forp.usp.br
Abstract
Alveolar wound healing can be modified by local and systemic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of alcoholic beverage administration (sugarcane brandy) on reparative bone formation around hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate implants inside the alveolar socket. Male Wistar rats had their upper right incisors extracted and the bioceramic granules implanted in the alveoli. The animals received increasing concentrations of brandy until 30¨? Gay-Lussac was achieved starting 30 days before dental extraction and maintained for periods varying from 1 hour to 6 weeks, until sacrifice. Blood alcohol concentration analysis was performed as well as histological and histometric analysis through light and scanning electron microscopy to examine the relation between alveolar healing components, including new bone trabeculae, and the implants. Blood alcohol concentration was significantly higher in treated animals compared with controls. A significant delay in reparative bone formation was detected in the alveolus of alcoholic rats by a histometric differential point counting method, whereas the presence of the bioceramic in the alveolar socket improved alveolar wound healing in alcohol-treated rats. It is suggested that the osteoconductive properties of this bioceramic accelerated alveolar wound healing in alcoholic rats.
Alcohol intake has been known to be a significant contributing factor to osteoporosis and bone loss. 1 Several studies have demonstrated that chronic alcohol abuse may lead to osteopenia and increased incidence of fractures. 2 Although the precise mechanism remains unclear, recent studies suggest that alcohol intake depresses new bone formation with much less effect on bone resorption, leading to a negative bone balance and progressive bone loss. 3
People who drink more than 60 g/day of alcohol have a high risk to become an alcoholic patient, with a tendency to present hip fractures. 4 They may also have large bone defects and insufficient bone volume for application of a dental implant. In these cases, it is required that the defect be restored or that the bone be augmented to obtain correct placement and sufficient retention of the implant. 5 The search for safe and effective alternatives to human graft continues to be explored through the potential use of crystalline minerals, such as hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate. 6 These have proved to be biocompatible with osteoconductive 7 and osteoinductive 8 properties and capable of progressive resorption with gradual replacement by new trabecular bone.
The purpose of the present study was to assess histometrically, in the rat alveolar healing model, the deleterious effects (if any) of an alcoholic beverage (sugarcane brandy) on reparative bone formation around hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate implants inside the alveolar socket immediately after tooth extraction. In addition, the bone-bioceramic interface was analyzed through light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate biomaterial osseointegration.
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