The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, 01/1988

All prosthetic implants should be scrupulously free of contaminating overlayers at the instant of their biological placement. There are numerous means to assess this surface quality, but the simplest and most clinically relevant is the quick determination of contact angles with pure test liquids. Suitable cleaning methods are few, but that showing greatest promise for prosthetic dental devices is radio-frequency glow-discharge (plasma) treatment. Keywords: adhesion, biocompatibility, glow-discharge treatment, surface cleaning

The ability to resist removal torques was compared for two different surface textures of screw-shaped commercially pure titanium implants. It was found that the removal torque for rough-surfaced implants was significantly higher in comparison to smooth-surfaced implants after 6 weeks of implantation time in rabbits. Keywords: biomechanical test, electropolished implants, osseointegration, surface texture, titanium implants

Single tooth implant supported restorations present a difficult restorative challenge. This article describes a new technique for fabricating single tooth restorations directly to Brånemark implant fixtures, bypassing the titanium abutment cylinder. With the use of the UCLA abutment, this procedure can provide esthetic and functional restorations. Keywords: abutment cylinder, hexagon, UCLA abutment

The closure of large congenital or postsurgical oronasal defects is a challenging problem for both the surgeon and the prosthodontist. Closure of the defect, whether it be by soft tissue or in combination with a bone graft, may reduce the potential for prosthesis extension and retention. This article describes the surgical-prosthodontic treatment for three patients utilizing the placement of titanium fixtures to support the prosthesis. Treatment sequence, surgical procedure, and follow-up results are described. Keywords: oronasal implants, osseointegrated implants, tissue integrated prosthesis

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on bone regeneration was studied by using a dividable titanium implant the bone harvest chamber (BHC). BHCs were inserted in the proximal tibial metaphysis in rabbits. Newly formed bone will grow through a canal that penetrates the implant. This newly formed bone was harvested from the implant every three weeks. The amount of mineralized bone that had grown into the canals was quantified by microradiography and microdensitometry. Bone that had formed after HBO treatment was compared with a control that had been sham-treated. A quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the effects of HBO treatment showed that HBO treatment caused a significant increase of bone formation in the implants, and histology demonstrated that lamellar bone had been developed in the chamber canal. Keywords: bone regeneration, hyperbaric oxygen treatment, titanium implant

This study presented an analysis of four failed implants removed from three human patients. The implants were in situ for 3 to 13 months and were removed due to pain, mobility, or infection, and fixed by immersion in 10% formalin. The specimens were embedded in PMMA, sectioned, and stained with basic fuchsin and toluidine blue. The specimens disclosed a coronal/apical variation of tissue responses. Apical sections of those implants with attached bone showed acceptable bone adaptation to the implant with little or no intervening connective tissue. As these sections progressed coronally, the intervening connective tissue widened, became loosely arranged, and aligned parallel to the implant surface. The most coronal aspect of the bone core showed necrosis, ulceration, and hemorrhage. It is speculated that trauma from insertion and failure of vascular regeneration may be the causes of failure. Keywords: basket implants, endosteal implants, histology, titanium implants

The tricalcium phosphate coating on a titanium dental implant fractured in vivo during restorative procedures. Two identical implants were placed at the same visit; one achieved osseointegration and the other failed when, during operator manipulation, the titanium body separated leaving its coating material integrated with the bone. Keywords: implant, osseointegration, phosphate, titanium, tricalcium