[Light and scanning electronmicroscopic studies of border surfaces of aluminum oxide-ceramic implants in the dog...

The mandibular bone of beagles as well as foxhounds and the border surfaces in the area of implants of dense Al2O3 ceramic were examined by scan electron microscope and optically in undecalcified preparations 4 and 6 months after the start of the experiment. All implants healed without foreign body or inflammatory reaction and exhibited a firm contact with the newly-formed surrounding osseous tissue. The border surface was always formed by osseous tissue and bone marrow and not by connective tissue. The bony border surface presented a casting of the structure proper of the ceramics as well as orderly remodelling. The tooth implants which had in part been under strain for a long time were surrounded by newly formed osteoid bone and supported by bone trabeculi. In the immediate proximity of the surface of the ceramic vital osteophites were found. The gum which was placed in a groove of the step implants showed firm epithelial covering and orderly fibrous texture.