Intra-osseous anchorage of dental prostheses. I. Experimental studies.

An investigation of factors controlling healing and long term stability of intra-osseous titanium implants to restore masticatory function in dogs revealed that an integrity of the good anchorage of the implant requires: (1) Non-traumatic surgical preparation of soft and hard tissues and a mechanically and chemically clean implant. (2) Primary closure of the mucoperiosteal flap, to isolate the implant site from the oral cavity until a biological barrier has been reestablished. (3) Oral hygiene to prevent gingival inflammation. Provided these precautions are taken, it is possible to subject dental prostheses, connected to the implants, to unlimited masticatory load. With these precautions such implants were found to tolerate ordinary use in dogs for periods of more than 5 years without signs of tissue injury or other indications of rejection phenomena.Macroscopic clinical investigation, stereomicroscopy, roentgenography and light microscopy of the implant site in situ and after removal from the body showed...