title: Organization of the connective tissue barrier around long-term loaded implant abutments in man.
abstract: The study aimed to investigate the connective tissue seal and the spatial organization of collagen fibers around long-term loaded implants in man. Block specimens containing smooth titanium implant abutments and the surrounding supracrestal connective tissue were obtained from patients rehabilitated for at least 1 year with implant-retained overdentures or implant-supported fixed prostheses and were histologically investigated. The histological features of the connective tissue around long-term loaded titanium abutments were specific: the tissue was rich in collagen fibers, organized in bundles, presenting a constant spatial arrangement, similar to that reported in animal studies. Circular fibers, the most numerous, were located externally, and longitudinal fibers internally. Radial fibers inserted on the abutment surface, similar to those of the periodontal system, were not observed in any case. No histological differences were found between tissue sampled around implants supporting a fixed restoration and those anchoring an overdenture.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Prosthodontic Department, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianmario
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schierano
authors.forename: Guglielmo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramieri
authors.forename: MariaGrazia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cortese
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aimetti
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Preti
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004396:Coloring Agents; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells / Q000473:pathology; D000044:Dental Abutments; D015921:Dental Implants; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003779:Denture Design; D003828:Denture, Overlay; D005260:Female; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014025:Titanium; D016474:Weight-Bearing
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D003094:Collagen; D014025:Titanium