The epithelium contiguous with the neck of intraosseous dental implants

There are three distinct regions with which a wedge shaped dental implant is in contact; the intraoral, transitional and intraosseous portions. The environment of each of these is different and will require special consideration. This investigation compares the epithelium found associated with a natural tooth to that which is found contiguous with the transitional region of an implant. The possibility of a pseudojunctional epithelium being formed in association with a glass collar processed onto the neck of a wedge shaped implant is examined. The histological appearance of a specimen in situ for 11 months shows an altered epithelial structure compared to that found adjacent to the neck of an unmodified titanium wedge shaped implant. Because the implant and glass must be mechanically separated from the tissue being examined, the value of demeneralized histological sections is limited. However, examination by a Scanning Electron Microscope of the surface of the glass after removal reveals an area of clear glass in the deeper region of the collar. Above this there is a deposit, the exact nature of which is unknown, but which migth be interpreted as the contents of the gingival crevice. Although this might be interpreted as a type of epithelial attachment, other factors are necessary to ensure close gingival adaptation and limitation on epithelial downgrowth.