Biomedical subjects

Tord Berglundh

Publications and source records attributed to Tord Berglundh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Morphogenesis of the peri-implant mucosa: an experimental study in dogs.

PURPOSE: The objective of the present experiment was to study the morphogenesis of the mucosal attachment to implants made of c.p. titanium. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All mandibular premolars were extracted in 20 Labrador dogs. After a healing period of 3 months, four implants (ITI Dental Implant System) were placed in the right and left sides of the mandible. A non-submerged implant installation technique was used and the mucosal tissues were secured to the conical marginal portion of the implants with interrupted sutures. The sutures were removed after 2 weeks and a plaque control program including daily cleaning of the remaining teeth and the implants was initiated. The animals were sacrificed and biopsies were obtained at various intervals to provide healing periods extending from Day 0 (2 h) to 12 weeks. The mandibles were removed and placed in the fixative. The implant sites were dissected using a diamond saw and processed for histological analysis. RESULTS: Large numbers of neutrophils infiltrated and degraded the coagulum that occupied the compartment between the mucosa and the implant during the initial phase of healing. At 2 weeks after surgery, fibroblasts were the dominating cell population in the connective tissue interface but at 4 weeks the density of fibroblasts had decreased. Furthermore, the first signs of epithelial proliferation were observed in specimens representing 1-2 weeks of healing and a mature barrier epithelium occurred after 6-8 weeks of healing. The collagen fibers of the mucosa were organized after 4-6 weeks of healing. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the soft-tissue attachment to implants placed using a non-submerged installation procedure is properly established after several weeks following surgery.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Effect of systemic administration of nicotine on healing in osseous defects. An experimental study in rabbits. Part II.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of systemic administration of nicotine on bone healing in osseous defects in the tibia of rabbits. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen female rabbits received nicotine (n=8; test group) or saline (n=8; control group) via subcutaneously placed mini-osmotic pumps for 8 weeks. The animals underwent three surgical operations during the experimental period, and body weight was registered weekly. Blood samples were collected to determine cotinine and prostaglandin E(2) levels. Bone preparations were made in the right leg of all rabbits after 4 weeks and in the left leg after 6 weeks of nicotine/placebo exposure. Thus, 2- and 4-week healing groups were created for the bone defects. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed. Tissue blocks including the bone defects were prepared for histological analysis. RESULTS: The animals in the test group lost weight, while the control group gained weight during the experiment. The prostaglandin E(2) levels in plasma increased significantly following nicotine exposure in the test group. No significant differences in the percentage of vessels and bone density in the osseous defects were found between the test and the control groups after 2 and 4 weeks of healing. CONCLUSIONS: In this experiment, systemic administration of nicotine over 4 or 6 weeks, respectively, influenced body weight and systemic prostaglandin E(2) levels but not the amount of blood vessels and the bone mineral density in bone defects after 2 or 4 weeks of healing.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Bone tissue formation adjacent to implants placed in fresh extraction sockets: an experimental study in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To study the healing of marginal defects that occurred at implants placed in a healed ridge or in fresh extraction sockets. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six dogs were used. The right side of the mandible was used in the first part of the study. The first, second premolars and first molars were extracted. After 3 months of healing the bone was prepared for implant installation in these premolar and molar sites. The marginal 5 mm of each recipient site was widened with a conical drill. Following implant installation a gap of varying dimension occurred around the titanium rod (artificial defect (A) sites). At this interval the third and fourth premolars were extracted and implants were installed in the distal socket of the two teeth (natural defect (N) sites). The flaps were sutured to allow non-submerged healing. After 2 months, the procedures were repeated in the left side. Two months later the animals were euthanized, and biopsies were obtained and prepared for histological examination. RESULTS: The length of the zone of de novo'bone-to-implant contact' in the defect region was longer at the A sites than at the N sites both at the 2- and the 4-month interval. Further, while after 4 months of healing the marginal bone crest at the A sites was located close to the abutment/fixture junction, at the N sites a marked reduction of the height of the bone crest was documented. Hence, most A site defects became completely resolved whereas healing of the N site defects was incomplete. CONCLUSION: The process of bone modeling and remodeling at an implant placed in a fresh extraction socket differs from the resolution of marginal defects that may occur following implant installation in a healed ridge.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The structure of periodontal tissues formed following guided tissue regeneration therapy of intra-bony defects in the monkey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the periodontal tissues formed following guided tissue regeneration (GTR) therapy of intra-bony defects (IBD). METHODS: Eight adult Macaca fascicularis monkeys were used. Proximal IBD were created at the mandibular second pre-molars and second molars. After 3 months, GTR surgery was performed. The animals were euthanized at 6 months and 2 years after surgery. Block biopsies were harvested, and prepared for histological analysis. RESULTS: At 6 months the defect had healed with new cementum (NC), periodontal ligament (PDL) and bone. The NC seemed to be firmly anchored to the dentin. Supra-crestally, the NC consisted of a 10 microm thick layer of acellular extrinsic fibre cementum (AEFC). Sub-crestally, the NC was considerably thicker and consisted of an inner layer of AEFC and an outer thicker layer of cellular mixed fibre cementum (CMFC). The extrinsic fibre density amounted to about 10 fibres per 100 microm. The PDL was wider than the pristine PDL and widened in coronal direction. After 2 years of healing, the thickness of the NC in the sub-crestal compartment had increased by about 20 microm and the fibre density had increased by about 50%. CONCLUSION: After 2 years of healing the structure of the regenerated tissues resembled that of pristine periodontal tissues.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

PubMed2006

Tissue characteristics at microthreaded implants: an experimental study in dogs.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to analyze bone tissue reactions at implants with and without a microthread configuration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In six beagle dogs, one test and two control implants were installed in one side of the mandible. While both implant types had a similar dimension and surface roughness, the test implants were designed with a microthread configuration in the marginal portion. Abutment connection was performed after 3 months. Another 3 months later, fixed partial dentures (FPDs) were cemented to the maxillary canine and premolars and FPDs were connected to the implants in the mandible. Ten months later, the animals were sacrificed and biopsies from each implant region were processed for histological analysis. Radiographs were obtained at implant placement after FPD connection and at the termination of the experiment. RESULTS: The radiographic examination revealed that the marginal bone level was well preserved at both test and control implants during the entire 16-month period. The degree of bone-implant contact within the marginal portion of the implants was significantly higher at the test (microthread) implants (81.8%) than at the control implants (72.8%). CONCLUSIONS: It was suggested that the microthread configuration offered improved conditions for osseointegration.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

PubMed2005

Peri-implantitis.

The risk of developing peri-implantitis seems to be more pronounced in patients with a history of periodontitis. Pretreatment to eliminate periodontal pathogens from the patient's oral cavity before dental implant treatment therefore is important to reduce the risk of peri-implantitis. Smoking has been shown to be a negative risk factor for treatment success. Several protocols have been used in the treatment of peri-implantitis. Mechanical infection control following surgical flap procedures, particularly in conjunction with antimicrobial therapy, is the most successful concept. There is no reliable evidence that suggests which intervention is the most effective for treating peri-implantitis. This article includes background information on the biology of tissue-destructive periodontitis and peri-implantitis to help clinicians interpret the clinical manifestation of the risk for peri-implantitis.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2005

The impact of nicotine on osseointegration. An experimental study in the femur and tibia of rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of an enhanced systematic dose of nicotine on osseointegration of titanium implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen female rabbits received either nicotine (n=8) or saline (n=8) administered subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 2 months. The pump delivered 6 mug/kg/min of nicotine for the animals in the test group. Blood was withdrawn and plasma cotinine levels were measured weekly. Thirty-two titanium implants were inserted into the femur and tibia of all rabbits after 4 weeks and after 6 weeks of nicotine/placebo exposure. Thus, 2- and 4-week healing groups were created. Biomechanical evaluation by (i) resonance frequency analysis test (RFA) on all implants after insertion and before sacrifice and (ii) removal torque test (RMT) on tibial implants before sacrifice was performed. All implants placed in the femur were processed to undecalcified ground sections. The percentage of bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and of bone area within the threads (BD-i) were measured. RESULTS: No significant difference in RMT and RFA values was found between the test and the control group. Histomorphometric measurements of the BIC and the peri-implant BD-i showed no significant differences between the test and the control group after 2 or after 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Nicotine exposure for a short period of time even in a high dose did not have a significant impact on implant osseointegration in rabbits.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

The impact of nicotine on bone healing and osseointegration.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the short-term effect of nicotine on bone healing and osseointegration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen female rabbits were divided into two groups. The test group was exposed to nicotine tartrate for 8 weeks and the control group was exposed to placebo. Nicotine or placebo was administered via a miniosmotic pump and plasma cotinine levels were measured weekly. The pump delivered 15 mg of nicotine/day for the animals in the test group. All rabbits had three tibial bone preparations. In the proximal and distal bone bed, implants were placed after 4 weeks (right tibia) and after 6 weeks (left tibia). Thus, 2- and 4-week healing groups were created. Removal torque test (RMT) was performed at the distal implants. Ground sections were made from the proximal and the central bone beds. The fraction of mineralized bone in contact to the implant (BIC) and the bone density within the implant threads (BD-i) were determined for the bone-implant specimens. For the central bone beds without implants the bone density (BD-c) in the bone defects was determined. RESULTS: No significant difference in RMT values was found between the test and the control group. Histomorphometric measurements of the BIC and the peri-implant BD-i showed no significant differences between the test and the control group after 2 or 4 weeks. Significant differences were, however, found between the 2- and 4-week samples. In the central bone beds, there was no significant difference in BD-c between the test and the control group. CONCLUSION: Nicotine exposure in a short period of time did not have a significant impact on bone healing or implant osseointegration in rabbits.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Prevalence of subjects with progressive bone loss at implants.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of subjects with progressive bone loss at implants with a function time of at least 5 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Radiographs of 1346 patients who had attended annual follow-up visits at the Brånemark Clinic, Public Dental Services, Gothenburg, Sweden were retrieved. Six hundred and sixty-two subjects fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Thus, they all had been provided with implant-supported (Brånemark System) Nobel BioCare, Gothenburg, Sweden) fixed partial or complete dentures or single-tooth replacements with a documented function time in radiographs of at least 5 years. Implants that demonstrated progressive bone loss to a level of > or =3 threads of an implant were detected. The number of subjects who exhibited one or more implants with progressive bone loss to the threshold level was recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-eight percent of 662 included subjects had one or more implants with progressive bone loss. A logistic regression analysis revealed that the individuals in this group carried a significantly larger number of implants than the subjects in whom no implants with progressive loss were detected (6 vs. 4.8). Furthermore, >30% of the subjects in the group with progressive bone loss had > or =3 identified implants and that about 33% of all such implants in this group exhibited extensive bone loss. Out of the total 3413 implants included in the study, 423 implants (12.4%) demonstrated progressive bone loss. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the prevalence of progressive bone loss at implants assessed from subject-based data is higher than that evaluated from implant-based data.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Bone regeneration at implants with turned or rough surfaces in self-contained defects. An experimental study in the dog.

BACKGROUND: Marginal hard tissue defects present at implants with a rough surface can heal with a high degree of bone fill and osseointegration. The healing of similar defects adjacent to implants with a smooth surface appears to be less predictable. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare bone healing at implants with turned or rough surface topographies placed in self-contained defects using either a submerged or non-submerged installation technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Six dogs were used. Three months after tooth extraction four experimental sites were prepared for implant installation in both sides of the mandible. The marginal 5 mm of the canal prepared for the implant was widened. Thus, following implant placement a circumferential gap occurred between the bone tissue and the implant surface that was between 1 and 1.25 mm wide. In each side of the mandible two implants with a turned surface and two implants with a rough surface were installed. The implants in the right side were fully submerged, while a non-submerged technique was applied in the left side. The animals were sacrificed 4 months later, block biopsies of each implant site were dissected and ground as well as paraffin sections were prepared. RESULTS: The marginal defects around rough surface implants exhibited after 4 months of healing substantial bone fill and a high degree of osseointegration following either the submerged or the non-submerged installation technique. Healing at turned implants was characterized by incomplete bone fill and the presence of a connective tissue zone between the implant and the newly formed bone. The distance between the implant margin (M) and the most coronal level of bone-to-implant contact (B) at implants with a rough surface was 0.84+/-0.37 mm at submerged and 0.90+/-0.39 mm at non-submerged sites. The distance M-B at implants with a turned surface was 3.39+/-0.52 mm at submerged and 3.23+/-0.68 mm at non-submerged sites. The differences between the rough and turned implants regarding the length of distance M-B were statistically significant (paired t-test). CONCLUSION: Osseointegration at implants placed in sites with marginal defects is influenced by the surface characteristics of the implant.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

PubMed2005

Association of the -159 CD14 gene polymorphism and lack of association of the -308 TNFA and Q551R IL-4RA polymorphisms with severe chronic periodontitis in Swedish Caucasians.

BACKGROUND: Severe forms of periodontitis are suggested to have a genetic basis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to study the association of gene polymorphisms related to some immune regulation components (G-308A TNFA, Q551R IL-4RA and C-159T CD14) with severe chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients (aged 36-74 years; mean 54.5+/-8.5) with severe and generalized chronic periodontitis were included. The patients exhibited bone loss >50% at all teeth. Thirty-nine periodontally healthy subjects between 35 and 78 years of age (mean 51.0+/-10.9) were recruited as controls. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood cells and genotyping was performed by combination of PCR and restriction endonuclease mapping. RESULTS: While gene polymorphisms for TNFA and IL-4RA did not show any association with severe chronic periodontitis, the analysis of the -159 CD14 gene polymorphism revealed significant differences between test and control groups. The proportion of subjects that exhibited the TT genotype was significantly smaller in the group with severe periodontitis than in periodontal healthy group (p=0.028; Fisher's exact test). The C allele carriage was 90% in the periodontitis group and significantly higher than in the healthy control group (72%). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the -159 CD14 gene polymorphism is associated with chronic periodontitis in Caucasian subjects of a north European origin.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Periodontal wound healing following GTR therapy of dehiscence-type defects in the monkey: short-, medium- and long-term healing.

OBJECTIVE: To describe periodontal wound healing in dehiscence-type defects following guided tissue re-generation (GTR) therapy. METHODS: Ten adult Macaca fascicularis monkeys were used. Buccal dehiscence-type defects were created at the maxillary second pre-molars and second molars. After 3 months, GTR surgery was performed. The animals were euthanized at 6 weeks, 6 months and 2 years after surgery. Block biopsies were harvested, and prepared for histological analysis. RESULTS: A new attachment apparatus was structured already after 6 weeks of healing. A 10-20 microm thin layer of acellular extrinsic fibre cementum (AEFC) had formed along the instrumented root surface. At 6 months, the thickness of the supracrestal cementum was comparable with that at 6 weeks, while the thickness of the subcrestal cementum had increased to 40-60 microm. In this zone, the cementum consisted of an inner layer of AEFC attached to the circum-pulpal dentin and an outer layer of cellular mixed fibre cementum (CMFC). The numerical extrinsic fibre density was twice that at 6 weeks. At 2 years, the periodontal tissues resembled the pristine periodontium. CONCLUSION: Periodontal healing following GTR therapy of recession-type defects will result in a restitutio ad integrum, i.e. healing by re-generation. A continuous maturation process occurs over at least 2 years.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2005

Aspects of adaptive host response in periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To review host response in periodontitis with respect to cellular composition of lesions, T cell receptor (TCR) gene expression, cytokine profiles of T-helper (Th) cells and autoimmune components. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studies included were confined to human material (biopsies, gingival crevicular fluid, blood from subjects with periodontitis). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In periodontitis lesions, plasma cells are the most common cell type and represent about 50% of all cells, while B cells comprise about 18%. The proportion of B cells is larger than that of T cells and Th cells occur in larger numbers than T cytotoxic cells. Polymorphonuclear cells and macrophages are found in fractions of less than 5% of all cells. Lesions in aggressive and chronic forms of periodontitis exhibit similar cellular composition. Differences in disease severity, however, may reflect increases in plasma cell and B cell densities. B cells serve as important antigen-presenting cells in periodontitis. The periodontitis lesion expresses a unique TCR gene repertoire that is different from that in blood. The role of superantigens in periodontitis is unclear. There are few studies using comparative designs and unbiased quantitative methods regarding Th-1 and Th-2 cells in periodontitis. The relative dominance of B cells and plasma cells in periodontitis lesions cannot entirely be explained by enhanced Th-2 functions but maybe because of an imbalance between Th-1 and Th-2. Autoimmune reactions are evident in periodontitis lesions. The role of auto-antibodies in the regulation of host response in periodontitis, however, needs to be clarified. Auto-reactive B cells occur in larger proportions in subjects with periodontitis than in healthy controls.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2005

Implant stability during initiation and resolution of experimental periimplantitis: an experimental study in the dog.

BACKGROUND: Histologic studies have demonstrated the possibility to reestablish direct bone-implant contacts after ligature-induced periimplantitis. The influence of the reosseointegration on the stability of implants is not known. PURPOSE: The aim of the present investigation was to study bone tissue and associated implant stability alterations that occurred during induction and resolution of periimplantitis using resonance frequency analysis (RFA), radiography, and histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three implants with smooth (turned) or roughened (SLA) surfaces were placed in each side of the edentulous mandible of four dogs. Experimental periimplantitis was induced for 3 months. Five weeks later, the animals were treated with antibiotics and surgical therapy and were followed for another 6 months. Periapical radiographs and RFA were used to evaluate marginal bone levels and implant stability throughout the study period. After termination, the tissue-implant interface was evaluated by light microscopy in ground sections. RESULTS: There was a linear relationship between radiographic and RFA findings because continuous loss of marginal bone and a decrease in implant stability were observed for both implant surfaces during the periimplantitis period. Antibiotic treatment and surgical therapy resulted in some reosseointegration, which was more marked for the SLA surface. The resonance frequency values corresponded well to the histometric measurements because reosseointegration resulted in an increase in implant stability. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from the present study indicate a linear relationship between marginal bone level and resonance frequency value. It is suggested that the RFA technique is sensitive and may be used to detect even a minor change in the level of bone-implant contact.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

PubMed2004

The influence of a biomaterial on the closure of a marginal hard tissue defect adjacent to implants. An experimental study in the dog.

OBJECTIVES: The present experiment was performed to determine the influence of Bio-Oss on hard tissue formation at sites that, following implant installation, presented a 1-1.25 mm wide marginal defect. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four Labrador dogs were used. The premolars and first molars on both sides of the mandible were extracted. After 3 months, mucoperiosteal flaps were elevated and three experimental sites were prepared for implant installation in each side of the mandible. A step drill was used to widen the marginal 5 mm of the canal. Thus, following the placement of the implant (3.3 x 10 mm, SLA surface, Straumann AG, Waldenburg, Switzerland) a circumferential gap, about 1-1.25 wide and 5 mm deep, remained lateral to the titanium rod. The test sites in the left side of the mandible were first filled with a deproteinized cancellous bone mineral (Bio-Oss). The defect sites in the right side of the mandible (control sites) were left for spontaneous healing. A resorbable barrier membrane (Bio-Gide) was placed to cover the implant and the bone tissue in two sites of each quadrant, while the third site was left without membrane placement. The flaps were repositioned to cover all defect sites and were sutured. After 4 months of healing, block biopsies of each implant site were dissected and processed for ground sectioning. RESULTS: It was demonstrated that at 4 months, all types of defects were filled with newly formed bone and that the biomaterial placed in the marginal defect in conjunction with implant installation during healing became incorporated in the newly formed bone tissue. A high degree of contact was established between the Bio-Oss particles and the newly formed bone. CONCLUSION: Bio-Oss became integrated with the newly formed bone. In the model used, Bio-Oss did not enhance the process of bone formation and defect closure.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2004

Early bone formation adjacent to rough and turned endosseous implant surfaces. An experimental study in the dog.

OBJECTIVE: To validate a proposed model (Berglundh et al. 2003) and to evaluate the rate and degree of osseointegration at turned (T) and sand blasted and acid etched (SLA) implant surfaces during early phases of healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The devices used for the study of early healing had a geometry that corresponded to that of a solid screw implant with either a SLA or a T surface configuration. A circumferential trough had been prepared within the thread region (intra-osseous portion) that established a geometrically well-defined wound chamber. Twenty Labrador dogs received totally 160 experimental devices to allow the evaluation of healing between 2 h and 12 weeks. Both ground and decalcified sections were prepared from mesial/distal and buccal/lingual device sites. Histometric and morphometric analyses of the ground sections and morphometric analysis of the tissue components in decalcified sections were performed. RESULTS: The ground sections provided an overview of the various phases of tissue formation, while the decalcified, thin sections enabled a more detailed study of events involved in bone tissue modeling and remodeling for both SLA and T surfaces. The initially empty wound chamber became occupied with a coagulum and a granulation tissue that was replaced by a provisional matrix. The process of bone formation started already during the first week. The newly formed bone present at the lateral border of the cut bony bed appeared to be continuous with the parent bone, but on the SLA surface woven bone was also found at a distance from the parent bone. Parallel-fibered and/or lamellar bone as well as bone marrow replaced this primary bone after 4 weeks. In the SLA chambers, more bone-to-device contact, more initial woven bone and earlier lamellar bone formation was found than in the T chambers. CONCLUSION: Osseointegration represents a dynamic process both during its establishment and its maintenance. While healing showed similar characteristics with resorptive and appositional events for both SLA and T surfaces, the rate and degree of osseointegration were superior for the SLA compared with the T chambers.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Histopathological observations of human periimplantitis lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze some characteristics of advanced and progressive periimplantitis lesions in man. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Soft tissue biopsies were obtained from 12 implants in six patients. The implants had been in function between 4 and 21 years and were, with one exception, located in the maxilla. The radiographic examination performed prior to biopsy revealed that all sites exhibited advanced bone loss. Further, clinical signs of severe inflammation, such as suppuration, swelling and/or fistula formation were detected in the majority of sites and seven of the 12 implants were found to be mobile at biopsy. Each biopsy was following fixation embedded in epoxy resin and sections were prepared for histometric and morphometric analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated (i). that all soft tissue units harbored large inflammatory cell infiltrates (ICT) that extended to a position apical of a pocket epithelium and (ii). that about 60% of the lesions were occupied by inflammatory cells, among which plasma cells dominated. Numerous amounts of PMN cells occurred not only in the pocket epithelium and adjacent connective tissue areas, but were also present in peri-vascular compartments in more central areas of the ICT.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Resolution of bone defects of varying dimension and configuration in the marginal portion of the peri-implant bone. An experimental study in the dog.

BACKGROUND: It was demonstrated that a marginal defect of about 1 mm between the bone wall and the metal surface after implant installation can heal with a high degree of bone fill and osseointegration. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present animal experiment was to study bone healing at implant sites with hard tissue defects of varying dimensions and configuration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four Labrador dogs were used. All mandibular premolars and first molars were extracted. After 3 months of healing, five experimental sites, two control (C1, C2) and three test (T1, T2, T3) sites, were identified. In all five sites, custom-made implants with a sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface and with an outer dimension of 3.3x10 mm, were used. In site C1, traditional implant installation was performed. In site C2, the marginal 5 mm of the canal, prepared for the implant, was widened to 5.3 mm using a step-drill. Thus, following the installation of the implant, a circumferential gap occurred between the bone tissue and the metal rod that was 5 mm deep and between 1 and 1.25 mm wide. In test site T1, the canal was widened to establish a marginal gap of 2-2.25 mm. In test sites T2 and T3, the marginal 5 mm of the canal was first widened to 5.3 mm (T2) or 7.3 mm (T3). The buccal bone wall opposite the defect was subsequently removed. Following the placement of a cover screw in sites C2, T1, T2, and T3, a resorbable membrane was placed over the defect. All implants were submerged. After 4 months of healing, block biopsies of each implant site were dissected and processed for ground sectioning. RESULTS: The observations disclosed that four-wall defects of different dimensions (1-2.25 mm wide) that occurred in the marginal portion of the recipient sites following implant installation were resolved during healing. Further, at sites where the buccal bone wall during defect preparation was intentionally removed, healing resulted in defect resolution at the mesial, distal, and lingual aspects. At the buccal aspects, healing was incomplete but the dimension of the defect was reduced by the limited amounts of new bone formation extending from the lateral and apical borders of the defect. CONCLUSION: Wide marginal defects may during healing be filled with bone. In such defects a high degree of osseointegration may occur to implants designed with an SLA surface.

Absorbable Implants↗