Gehrke, Sergio AlexandreJunior, Jaime AramburúTreichel, Tiago Luis EilersScarano, AntonioMello, Bruno FreitasFormiga, Márcio de CarvalhoTari, Sergio RexhepCoura, GustavoFernandes, Gustavo Vicentis Oliveira2026-06-052026-06-052026-05-01a2496c8c-6d70-4b22-baaf-e648a836d1fehttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/57982Background: Primary stability and long-term osseointegration depend on bone healing surrounding dental implants. Implant macrogeometry is crucial for controlling insertion torque and the biological reaction of peri-implant bone. This study assessed the impact of an implant design meant to lessen cortical bone compression on early bone healing. Methods: Forty titanium prototype implants (3 × 6 mm) were equally divided into Control (standard macrogeometry) and Test (macrogeometry with healing chambers) groups. Initial insertion torque was measured in vitro using synthetic bone blocks. Subsequently, an in vivo rabbit tibia model was used (n = 10 implants per group) to assess early healing. At 21 days, histological sections were analyzed for bone-to-implant contact (BIC%) at three cervical positions (C1, C2, and C3). Additionally, digital radiographs of the cervical region were evaluated using RGB color mapping, where distinct color channels quantified varying degrees of bone density. Results: The in vitro insertion torque for the Control group was significantly greater than the Test group (8.01 vs. 5.70 Ncm). The in vivo histomorphometric analysis indicated improved integration for the Test design, showing substantially higher BIC% at the C2 (59.30% vs. 40.30%) and C3 (42.10% vs. 17.90%) positions. Furthermore, radiographic RGB analysis revealed that the Test group possessed a higher blue channel contribution, indicating greater mineralized tissue density. Conclusions: These results imply that modifying implant macrogeometry to lower insertion torque and minimize cortical bone compression favorably enhances early cervical bone healing and osseointegration.engBone healingBone-to-implant contactCortical bone compressionDental implantsHealing chambersInsertion torqueOsseointegrationRabbit modelresearch article10.3390/jfb1705021710504002914842188383001774716800001