Microscopic, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural properties of peri-implant mucosa in humans.
BACKGROUND
Microscopic and immunocytochemical studies have demonstrated both similarities and differences between the gingival mucosa and the peri-implant mucosa restored around dental implants.


METHODS
This study was performed on 10 samples of peri-implant mucosa from 10 patients who had undergone implant treatment 16 to 18 months before. Microscopic, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical investigations were performed to characterize the epithelial and connective layers of the peri-implant mucosa.


RESULTS
All specimens showed the morphologic characteristics of well restored tissues. The immunocytochemical reactions used to detect cytokeratins demonstrated that the restored peri-implant mucosa had a non-keratinized epithelium. The apical part of the inner epithelium was a few cell layers thick, like the corresponding junctional epithelium, but it stained positively with the markers for the cytokeratins expressed by the stratified epithelia. Ultrastructurally the keratinocytes adjacent to the implant displayed nuclei containing a rich cytoplasm with filaments and specialized intercellular junctions right up to the more superficial strata. Immunocytochemical reactions and ultrastructural observations demonstrated the presence of non-keratinocyte cells; i.e., Langerhans cells, melanocytes, and Merkel cells. Several cells were found to be proliferating by immunoreaction with mAb anti-PCNA, while immunoreactions with mAbs to detect von Willebrand factor, CD34, and vascular endothelial growth factor marked the well-developed networks of blood and lymphatic vessels in the connective tissue. S-100 and protein gene product 9.5 positive nerve fibers were marked. Immunocytochemical reactions with mAbs anti-vimentin, anti-laminin were also performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated that all the epithelial and connective components of the mucosa are involved in the substantial regrowth of the peri-implant tissue and subsequently in the success of the implant.
Marchetti
Carla
C
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Pavia, Italy.
Farina
Aurora
A
Cornaglia
Antonia Icaro
AI
D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000328:Adult; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000032:analysis; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015921:Dental Implants; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis; D007801:Langerhans Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000032:analysis; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology; D018862:Merkel Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000032:analysis; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D015921:Dental Implants; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D007797:Laminin; D008222:Lymphokines; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D009418:S100 Proteins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D014746:Vimentin; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D007633:Keratins; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase