[Hydroxyapatite ceramic (HAC) used as transmucosal endosseous implant material in dogs]

Twenty-six HAC implants were implanted in the mandible of 7 male mongrel dogs. Of the 26 HAC implants, 22 were supramergible implants penetrating the gingiva, and the other 4 were the submergible ones completely covered by the gingiva. Clinically and radiographically, all survival supramergible implants were in favorable status every one, three, and five months respectively after implantation. Histologically, the direct contact with the bone of supramergible implants was later than that of submergible ones at apical portion, because of mastication force. Transmission electron microscope showed that the epithelial cells were attached to HAC implants via hemidesmosomes and a basement lamina. The authors think that HAC is an excellent coating material for the composite implants.