Selective laser melted titanium implants play a positive role in early osseointegration in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats

Success of dental implant is associated with the surface modification. To evaluate whether the selective laser melting-superfinished titanium (Ti6Al4V) implants have a better early osseointegration in type 2 diabetes mellitus rats compare to pure titanium implants and acid-etched treated (SLA) implants, we designed a screw-shaped implant which was batch-fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM). Then the implants were randomly inserted in tibias of rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). After surgical operation, the SLM group showed the best bone formation around the implants with the highest bone-implant contact rate among the three groups. Removal torque tests and histomorphological analyses all revealed a stronger connection between the bone because its good surface characteristics and mechanical properties. SLM implant may be a novel implant for T2DM patients.