A biomechanically-designed dental implant was compared to a conventional V-thread implant design in a canine model. Radiographs were taken of the implants at 1.5, 3, 6, and 9 month post-implantation intervals and analyzed by digital subtraction radiography for bone density and bone loss. Undecalcified histology sections were prepared for a qualitative evaluation of the overall tissue morphology by normally-transmitted light, polarized light and Nomarski differential interference light microscopy. Bone contact length (BCL) percentages were determined by computer histomorphometry. The implant design was well tolerated, and functioned well. No apparent differences were observed between the two implant systems
