Periodontal ligament formation around titanium implants using cultured periodontal ligament cells: a pilot study

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a new periodontal ligament attachment will form on titanium implants when they are implanted with cultured periodontal ligament cells. Periodontal ligament cells obtained from the teeth of 3 dogs were cultured and attached to the surface of titanium implants. The implants with the cultured autologous periodontal ligament cells were placed in the mandibles of the dogs. After 3 months of healing, histologic examination revealed that, on some implant surfaces, a layer of cementum-like tissue with inserting collagen fibers had been achieved. These results demonstrated that cultured periodontal ligament cells can form tissue resembling a true periodontal ligament around implants.