Tissue reaction to submerged ceramic tooth root implants. An experimental study in monkeys

Tooth root replica implants made from alumina ceramic material of solid structure coated with a porous layer, were used as dental implants in monkeys. The porous coating was 1/2 mm thick and had pore sizes within 50--200 microns range, with a 30% degrees of porosity. Tne implants were inserted into prepared sockets in the mandible of 5 Cercopithecus monkeys. After submerged implantation periods varying from 5 to 15 weeks, a perforating steel post was introduced through the covering gingiva into the artificial root canal of the implants. The animals were sacrificed after 6 weeks, 2, 3 and 4 months. Three out of the total number of 10 implants were lost. The remaining 7 specimens were retrieved for histologic and microradiographic examination. Fibrous and mineralized tissue ingrowth of the porous layer of the implants was found. No adverse reactions of the adjacent bone were demonstrable. The implants became anchored to the host and no epithelial downgrowth along the ceramic was found.