Morphologic studies on the biologic seal of titanium dental implants. Report II. In vivo study on the defending mechanism of epithelial adhesions/attachment against invasive factors
Kawahara, H.; Kawahara, D.; Mimura, Y.; Takashima, Y.; Ong, J.L.
International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants 13(4): 465-473
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0882-2786 PMID: 9714952 Document Number: 485745
Clinical measurements on gingival indices and morphologic observations were performed in this study to verify the defending mechanism of gingival soft tissue against foreign invasions from the perspective of epithelial adhesion/attachment to implant surfaces in the monkey mandible. The following zones were observed using scanning electron microscopy: (1) plaque zone, suggesting susceptibility of the gingival tissue to bacterial invasion; (2) nude zone, demonstrating indirect adhesion of epithelial cells to the implant surface through the mucous layer and preventing bacterial invasion; and (3) epithelial cell attached zone, having greater bond strength of epithelial cells at the cell-implant interface as compared to cell-cell bonding within the epithelial cell layer. This study suggested that epithelial cell attachment/adhesion may play a dominant role in retaining the successful condition of a dental implant.