Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of initial and early osseous integration at chemically modified and conventional SLA titanium implants: preliminary results of a pilot study in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present pilot study was to investigate initial and early tissue reactions to modified (mod) and conventional sand-blasted, large grit and acid-etched (SLA) titanium implants.


METHODS
Implantation of modSLA and SLA implants was performed bilaterally in both the mandible and maxilla of dogs. The animals were sacrificed after a healing period of 1, 4, 7 and 14 days, respectively. Peri-implant tissue reactions were assessed in non-decalcified tissue sections using conventional histology (Toluidine blue-TB and Masson Goldner Trichrome stain-MG) and immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies to transglutaminase II (TG) (angiogenesis) and osteocalcin (OC). Bone density (BD) and bone to implant contact (BIC) were assessed histomorphometrically.


RESULTS
Day 1 revealed an early TG antigen reactivity in the provisional fibrin matrix adjacent to both implant surfaces. Day 4 was characterized by the formation of a collagen-rich connective tissue (MG), which revealed the first signs of OC synthesis adjacent to modSLA surfaces. Immunohistochemical staining for TG revealed a direct correlation between angiogenesis and new bone formation, which was clearly identifiable after 7 days by means of increasing BD, BIC and OC values. After 14 days, modSLA surfaces seemed to be surrounded by a firmly attached mature, parallel-fibered woven bone.


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limits of the present study, it might be concluded that the combination of immunohistochemical and conventional histological stainings in non-decalcified tissue sections is a valuable technique to evaluate the initial and early stages of wound healing around endosseous titanium implants.
Schwarz
Frank
F
Department of Oral Surgery, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany. info@frank-schwarz.de
Herten
Monika
M
Sager
Martin
M
Wieland
Marco
M
Dard
Michel
M
Becker
Jürgen
J
D000818:Animals; D045662:Dental Etching / Q000379:methods; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016591:Histocytological Preparation Techniques; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008422:Materials Testing; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology*; D015675:Osteocalcin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011897:Random Allocation; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000096:biosynthesis
D015921:Dental Implants; D015675:Osteocalcin; D014025:Titanium; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins