Postmortem histologic evaluation of mandibular titanium and maxillary hydroxyapatite-coated implants from 1 patient
Rohrer, M.D.; Sobczak, R.R.; Prasad, H.S.; Morris, H.F.
International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants 14(4): 579-586
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0882-2786 PMID: 10453675 Document Number: 499030
Postmortem examination of human specimens is an extremely important aspect of evaluating the relative compatibility and long-term success of endosseous implant surfaces. The bone-implant interface of 5 commercially pure titanium screw-type mandibular implants after 85 months of service and 2 hydroxyapatite- (HA) coated maxillary implants after 38 months of service were examined. All implants were stable at the time of the patient's death. The mandibular implants had an average of 65% contact with bone and the maxillary implants had an average of 47% contact. The HA coating had separated from the maxillary implants in some areas and was free within surrounding connective tissue or surrounded by invaginating sulcular epithelium. The arrangement and pattern of bone contact appeared different between HA-coated and titanium implant surfaces.