[Histocompatibility of implant materials--animal model criteria and findings]

The histocompatibility of the dental implant materials titanium and aluminium-oxideceramics was examined with the aid of quantitative histomorphometry and semiquantitative histopathologic methods after intramuscular and subcutaneous implantation in rabbits and guinea-pigs. Of each material cylindrical and spindel-shaped specimens with rough and smooth surface conditions were implanted for different implant periods (1, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks). The local tissue reactions caused by the implant materials showed significant differences. Cylindrical implants and/or implants with a rough surface produced, with statistical significance (p less than or equal to 0.001) the strongest tissue reactions (foreign body reactions). Contrary to this, spindel-shaped and smooth titanium- and Al2O3-ceramic-implants elicited bland tissue reactions. In these cases we found a significant increase in subcapsular adipose tissue (p less than or equal to 0.001) and significantly less thickness of the connective tissue capsule (p less than or equal to 0.001).