The influence of controlled occlusal overload on peri-implant tissue: a histologic study in monkeys

This study examined the influence of controlled occlusal overload on an implant. An experiment was conducted on five crab-eating monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) in which overload with no inflammation in the peri-implant tissues was modeled. Two osseointegrated implants were placed into each monkey. After 3 months of osseointegration, superstructures that were excessive by about 100 microns were mounted on the implants, and a traumatic occlusal force was experimentally delivered to its implant from the lingual to the buccal side. This procedure was performed under conditions of good oral hygiene. The monkeys received an excessive occlusal force for 1 to 4 weeks and were then immediately sacrificed. The results showed that the implants remained firmly integrated with bone, and all of the subjects that received excessive occlusal force for 1 to 4 weeks showed an absence of gross bone loss. These results suggest that conditions of occlusal force created by excessively high implant-supported superstructures may not destroy the peri-implant tissues.