[Ultrastructural studies of tissue surrounding endosseous dental implants]

We have observed peri-implant tissue specimens of endosseus dental implants subjected or not to occlusal load. All the specimens showed a large network of collagen microfibrils and proteoglycans filaments, strictly adherent to the endoprothesis. In some cases a layer of connective tissue surrounds the proteoglycan network only in some peri-implant areas. Cellular and extracellular components of this connective tissue were orientated parallel to the metal surface and all this appears to be correlated to a definite biological function.