Evaluation of Various Positions on the Ovine Pelvis for Dental Implant Research

Aims: An ex vivo and in vivo study to determine various positions in the ovine pelvis to evaluate dental implant placement. Settings and Design: • A novel, unique surgical dissection was described as the caudal roll-up technique and was utilized to obtain maximal exposure to the Linea Glutea, with the least morbidity. • Insertion torque (IT) of osseo-integrated dental implants was measured at predetermined positions described as A-F along the ovine linea glutea. • The amount of outer cortical bone was measured at predetermined sections A-F on harvested ovine pelvi, to coincide with the implant positions as placed. Statistical analysis used: Descriptive Study. Intraoral dental implant research in animals is challenging, owing in particular to different tooth morphology. One of the most challenging problems with intraoral implant research in animals is an infection form contaminated oral cavity, which is evident in intraoral research related to pigs and dogs [8]. Intraoral dental implant studies by Vlaminck confirmed that the specific oral biomechanics inherent to a sheep's constant ruminant activity accounted for high degrees of implant failures [13, 25]. A novel, unique surgical dissection was described as the caudal roll-up technique and was utilized to obtain maximal exposure to the Linea Glutea, with the least morbidity. Data collected concerning the insertion torque of implants placed and the cortical thickness measurements of the sheep's ilia was discussed.