Abstract

AIM:

Objective: The aim of this study was to histologically examine the effects of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, namely diclofenac sodium (DCS), on the extent of the bone–implant contact (BIC) of titanium implants after four weeks of osseointegration period in a rodent model.

MATERIALS & METHODS:

Fourteen female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: the control (n = 7) and experimental (DCS) groups. Fourteen machine-surfaced titanium implants were placed in the right tibial bones of the rats. The DCS (2 mg/kg) was administered by means of oral gavage to the experimental group for 14 days After four weeks of osseointegration. No medication was administered to the control group throughout the six week study period. At the end of the study, the rodents were sacrificed and block sections were obtained for histologic evaluation.

RESULTS:

The mean BIC ratios for the control and DCS groups were 64.15 ± 6.31% and 61.10 ± 6.08%, respectively. No statistically significant difference in terms of the BIC ratios was found between the two groups.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study demonstrate that DCS did not impair the BIC of the implants after four weeks of osseointegration.