Comparative assessment of the interfacial soft and hard tissues investing implants and natural teeth in the macaque mandible

Clin Oral Investig. 2015 Jul;19(6):1353-62. doi: 10.1007/s00784-014-1362-7. Epub 2014 Nov 21.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative qualitative and quantitative assessment of the interfacial soft and hard tissues investing implants and natural teeth.

Materials and methods: The test sample consisted of six adult healthy male Macaca fascicularis with three-unit splinted crowns, each crown supported by an Ankylos screw-shaped titanium implant. These implants were placed in the mandibular premolar-second molar region, one side by an immediate-loading (IL) and the other by delayed-loading (DL) protocol. The animals were sacrificed after 3 months of functional loading. Another two monkeys with natural dentition served as controls. Nondecalcified sections were prepared for assessment of optical intensities (OI) under a confocal laser scanning microscope.

Results: In both the test (IL and DL) and control, the soft tissue complexes demonstrated a highly fluorescent keratinized layer and diminished cytoplasmic and enhanced membranous fluorescence in the remaining epithelium. Peri-implant mucosa was further characterized by an intense fluorescence at the junctional epithelium-implant interface and in the stromal mononuclear infiltrate. Connective tissue contact and periodontal ligament were weakly fluorescent. In hard tissues, a high fluorescence was observed in peri-implant woven bone and along the implant-bone interface. Mean OI was significantly higher in peri-implant woven bone than around teeth (P < 0.05). In the remaining soft and hard tissue complexes, no significant differences in mean OI between the test and control were observed (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Present findings suggest that peri-implant woven bone is highly mineralized, while the peri-implant and gingival mucosa share structural similarities.

Clinical relevance: Optical intensities of interfacial tissues investing implants and teeth are related to their biological properties.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alveolar Process / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Dental Implantation, Endosseous*
  • Dental Implants*
  • Dental Prosthesis Design*
  • Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported*
  • Gingiva / pathology*
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Mandible / surgery*
  • Microscopy, Confocal

Substances

  • Dental Implants