Effect of calcium phosphate ceramic implants used for mandibular ridge augmentation on gingival cells. an ultrastructural study

ABSTRACT

Six adult dogs were injected with calcium phosphate ceramic material through subperiosteal tunneling technique. Gingival specimens were taken after 4, 8 and 12 months from both sides of the mandible, the injected side [study specimens] and the opposite side [control specimens] to be processed for light and electron microscopy. The implant particles were detected in gingiva after 4 and 8 months. After 12 months they were detected only on ultrastructural level. In epidermis, implanted particles appeared as dense granules in membrane bound vacuoles in perinuclear zone. No epidermal reaction was noticed, except for increased cellular attachment. In dermis the particles were phagocytosed inside macrophages. Mild activation of fibroblasts, plasma cells, lymphocytes and leukocytes was noticed with mild collagen deposition