Fig. 1.

Implantation surgical procedures and surface characters of implants. (a) For the animals in ligature and sucrose-rich diet-induced peri-implant infection model, four same implants were inserted into the dog mandible (a₁ and a₂, two implants/side), the healing abutments were applied with ligatures (a₃), and then the flaps sutured through the abutments(a₄), these animals were then fed on sucrose-rich diets. (b) In normal implantation model, four same implants were also inserted into the mandible (b₁ and b₂, two implants/side), cover screws were used after implantations(b₃), the flaps were sutured over the screws and implants(b₄), and these animals were fed normal diets. (c₁) and (d₁) Surface morphologies of Ti and TiCu implants, green rings indicate the holes formed by sandblasting treatment and the yellow rings show the holes formed by acid etching treatment. (c2) and (d₂) EDS surface scanning images of Ti and TiCu implants, respectively. (e) Diameters of holes on the implant surfaces. (n = 3 per group) [Data are mean ± s.d.].