Prospective investigation of the single-crystal sapphire endosteal dental implant in humans: ten-year results.

This study conducted a longitudinal prospective clinical study of the single-crystal sapphire (Al2O3) cylindrical screw-shaped endosteal dental implant, and attempted to establish clinical parameters to evaluate implant success or failure. Twenty-eight mandibular implants (17 patients) were placed. After six weeks' healing, 23 implants in 15 patients served as distal abutments for fixed prostheses (baseline). Implants were evaluated for bleeding index, crevicular fluid volume index, plaque accumulation index, radiographic index, mobility index, and patient comfort. Any implant failing in three of these criteria or implants removed were judged as failures. After 10 years, of the 21 baseline implants recalled (two implants were lost to recall), 17 were fully functional, for an 81% success rate. The use of qualitative and quantitative clinical evaluation parameters as utilized in this study appears to be important and useful in assessments of the clinical serviceability of dental implants. These parameters can be used in human clinical trials as well as in experimental animal studies.

Transmission electron microscopic and high voltage electron microscopic observations of the bone and osteocyte activity adjacent to unloaded dental implants placed in dogs.

The purpose of this report is to describe ultrastructural observations of the bone and associated tissues supporting 24 unloaded endosteal dental implants placed in mongrel dogs (canis familiaris). The following 3 specific areas of the supporting tissues were targeted: 1) the osteocyte populations; 2) the mineralized collagen fiber matrix of the bone; and 3) an electron dense interfacial deposit. To investigate these areas, transmission electron microscopy and high voltage electron microscopic (HVEM) protocols were emphasized. HVEM permitted stereologic observations. Further, all observations were obtained from undecalcified tissues obtained from animals with commercially available implants placed into the mandible. From the study we observed a mineralization pattern of the implant supporting bone that was similar to those events occurring naturally within the mandibular bone. Osteocyte morphology was similar whether the osteocytes were found well below the implant interface or close to the interface. Osteocytes within lacunae were routinely found close to the implant interface, often extending cellular processes through canaliculi to the bone-implant interface. At the interface, an electron dense deposit approximately 50 nm in thickness was often observed. In interfacial regions, densely mineralized collagen fibers were observed running primarily parallel to the implant surface. This dense mineralized tissue was separated from the interface by a mineralized, but finely fibrillar matrix of approximately 200 nm in thickness.

High-voltage electron microscopy and conventional transmission electron microscopy of the interface zone between bone and endosteal dental implants.

The interface between mandibular bone and endosteal dental implants was examined with an in vivo dog model. Undecalcified mandibular implant samples were observed with both conventional transmission electron microscopy and high-voltage transmission electron microscopy (HVEM). Results demonstrated the variable nature of the interfacial support tissues. Mineralized bone was often found within 50 nm of the implant surface, separated from that surface only by an electron dense deposit. Osteocytes were observed close to the interface encased within lacunae extending numerous cellular processes through canaliculi. An osteoblast was also observed directly at the interface within a developing lacuna. Other interfacial areas exhibited a finely fibrillar and more electron lucent morphology. Furthermore, other areas were shown to be composed of wider zones of extracellular products containing collagen fibrils, ground substance, and calcified inclusions. Because bone is an actively growing and remodeling tissue, these different morphological zones around the entire area of the implants would appear to confirm the dynamic tissue response to endosteal dental implants. Further, HVEM stereology was shown to be an exciting research tool to investigate this tissue response.

Correlative transmission electron microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations of the tissues supporting endosteal blade implants.

Correlated scanning electron microscopic (SEM), routine transmission electron microscopic (TEM), and high-voltage transmission electron microscopic (HVEM) observations demonstrated that one-stage and two-stage endosteal blade-type implants were well-supported by mandibular tissues after five months of unloaded healing in dogs. Areas of the implants were apposed directly by mineralized tissues without any apparent interposed unmineralized connective tissue. Other areas of the implants were apposed by narrow areas of unmineralized tissue, often containing osteoblasts. These unmineralized areas were interposed between the implant and a supporting mineralized matrix. A healthy mix of tissues, which represented a dynamic osseous complex, supported these serviceable blade-type dental implants. This study, for the first time in the dental implant literature, utilizes HVEM stereology for evaluation of the bone-implant interface.

Dental implants retrieved from humans: a diagnostic light microscopic review of the findings in seven cases of failure.

With the increased use of dental implant systems, an increase in the number of implants removed from patients has also been observed. This investigation attempted to elucidate some underlying causal determinants of implant failure employing light microscopic analyses. Valuable data can be obtained from implants retrieved from patients. Implant success is predicted on proper patient selection and treatment planning, careful surgical procedures, careful prosthodontic management, and continued oral hygiene maintenance.

Scanning electron microscopic studies of the oral tissue responses to dental implants.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and its associated technologies have proven invaluable in elucidating the interfacial oral tissue responses to dental implants. Since the dental implant must extend from the mandibular or maxillary jaw, through the oral mucosa, and into the oral cavity, these tissue responses include epithelium, connective tissue and bone. The continual occlusal forces acting upon these tissues reinforce the dynamic character of these tissue responses. Immediately upon implantation, a healing phase begins as a response to the implanted biomaterial. Following this immediate response a longer healing phase occurs, beginning approximately 1 week after implantation, resulting in the modeling of bone to the implant as well as the formation of epithelial attachment to the implant. This later, delayed healing continues throughout the lifetime of the implant since these tissues must die and be replaced by similar tissues. Current dental research employing scanning electron microscopy is now documenting these tissue responses. This paper reviews, in detail, SEM observations of these tissue responses.

Ultrastructural investigations of the bone and fibrous connective tissue interface with endosteal dental implants.

The interface between the tissues of the oral cavity and ceramic and titanium cylindrical endosteal dental implants was investigated with correlated light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. This study suggested that mandibular bone can directly interface and form an intimate association with one-stage endosteal dental implants. This potential attachment matrix is composed of a composite of calcified bone, and an osteoid unmineralized matrix in association with an apparent osteogenic connective tissue. Further, results from this study suggested that at a level inferior to the junctional epithelium, and superior to the level of crestal bone, fibrous connective tissue can attach to the dental implant. This non-loadbearing attachment of gingival connective tissue could, by contact inhibition, prevent apical epithelial migration. In association with previously documented epithelial attachment, such apical support and connective tissue attachment appears to suggest that endosteal dental implants can be adequately maintained in the oral cavity.

Ultrastructural comparisons of ceramic and titanium dental implants in vivo: a scanning electron microscopic study.

Identically prepared, screw-type ceramic and titanium endosteal dental implants were inserted in the jaws of adult mongrel dogs for periods of up to 6 months. Sixteen of the 32 total implants supported fixed bridgework. The interface of bone and soft connective tissues with the dental implants was examined by routine and innovative scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques using both secondary and backscattered electron imaging. Results demonstrated excellent bone adaptation to both titanium and ceramic implants. Direct adaptation of bone to the upper third of both type implants was observed with only minimal amounts of any intervening fibrous connective tissue. A composite of trabecular bone and fibrous connective tissue was observed in the lower two-thirds of the implants examined. Areas of bone alteration suggestive of osteoid were observed at the thread apicis of some loaded implants. From this investigation we concluded that similar longitudinal tissue responses were generated to one-piece, cylindrical screw-type titanium and alpha alumina oxide ceramic dental implants. Possible bone remodeling was observed at the thread apicis of the loaded implants, an area where occlusal forces may be distributed. We further suggest that one-stage endosteal implants are capable of maintaining a proportional bone-to-implant interface at the apical support region, similar to that suggested to two-stage implant systems.

The scientific basis for dental implant therapy.

Dental and oral implantology have rapidly moved into the mainstream of dentistry in the last ten years with a phenomenal growth based on rapidly expanding technology, increasing public interest, and the reporting of sound scientific data. This paper reviews current knowledge about implant tissue reactions and identifies areas where additional scientific inquiry is needed. Bone- and soft-tissue healing around dental implants varies greatly depending upon the form of the implant, biomaterial used, and surgical approach. Controversy exists as to whether a direct bony-biomaterial interface is preferable over a bone-connective tissue-biomaterial interface. Scientific data are required to document whether intervening molecular layers of glycoproteins exist between implant and bone, and what role is played by these structures relative to the implant-bone interface. The adaptation of regenerated gingival epithelium to an implant is critical for the development of a perimucosal seal. Many scientific questions remain unanswered about this seal and its role in maintenance of implant longevity. Controlled clinical trials must be carried out to determine clinical serviceability standards for patients. Resolving these areas of concern and understanding the biological reactions involved will require in-depth scientific inquiry by clinician and scientist alike to make dental implantology a highly acceptable and predictable treatment modality. Even with these controversies and lack of comprehensive comparison studies, dental implantology is an exciting treatment concept that makes considerable demands upon the surgical, prosthetic, periodontal, and restorative skills of today's practitioners, and on their scientific understanding as well.

In vivo effects of Sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol, TPA and A23187 on hamster cheek pouch epithelium.

Cheek pouches of male Syrian golden hamsters were topically treated with a single dose of TPA (.5 microgram), calcium ionophore A23187 (75 micrograms) or Sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (DiC8) (500 micrograms) dissolved in 0.25 ml acetone. Acetone-treated animals served as controls. After 48 h the mitotic index for the control group was 1.1 +/- 0.1 per 1 mm of the basement membrane length. All the test congeners exhibited higher mitotic indices than controls: TPA (4.8 +/- 0.4), A23187 (3.9 +/- 0.3), DiC8 (2.1 +/- 0.2). All groups exhibited an increase in the epithelial thickness manifested by cellular hyperplasia. The treatment of the pouches with the anti-inflammatory agent fluocinolone acetonide inhibited the mitogenic and hyperplasiogenic affects on the epithelium induced by the various test chemicals. These studies indicate a possible role of calcium-phospholipid dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) in the mediation of oral epithelial cell proliferation.

An instructional module concerning oral implantology: II. Development and implementation.

This paper represents the second of a series of papers documenting the design/development process of an individualized instructional module concerning oral implantology. This module was specifically designed for predoctoral dental students. The first paper discussed the rationale for the module and the initial field testing of the preliminary module. This paper examines the design and development of the oral implantology instructional module given to second and third year predoctoral dental students at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)