This study investigated the effect of an Argon‐based atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) surface treatment operated chairside at atmospheric pressure conditions applied immediately prior to dental implant placement in a canine model. Surfaces investigated comprised: rough titanium surface (Ti) and rough titanium surface + Argon‐based APP (Ti‐Plasma). Surface energy was characterized by the Owens‐Wendt‐Rabel‐Kaelble method and chemistry by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Six adult beagles dogs received two plateau‐root form implants (n = 1 each surface) in each radii, providing implants that remained 1 and 3 weeks in vivo. Histometric parameters assessed were bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO). Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskall‐Wallis (95% level of significance) and Dunn's post‐hoc test. The XPS analysis showed peaks of Ti, C, and O for the Ti and Ti‐ Plasma surfaces. Both surfaces presented carbon primarily as hydrocarbon (CC, CH) with lower levels of oxidized carbon forms. The Ti‐Plasma presented large increase in the Ti (+11%) and O (+16%) elements for the Ti‐ Plasma group along with a decrease of 23% in surface‐adsorbed C content. At 1 week no difference was found in histometric parameters between groups. At 3 weeks significantly higher BIC (>300%) and mean BAFO (>30%) were observed for Ti‐Plasma treated surfaces. From a morphologic standpoint, improved interaction between connective tissue was observed at 1 week, likely leading to more uniform and higher bone formation at 3 weeks for the Ti‐Plasma treated implants was observed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 2012.