[An animal study of peripheral neurophysiologic mechanism in osseoperception phenomena of dental implant].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the existence of functional neuroreceptors in peri-implant bone tissue and to test the peri-implant neural feedback pathway reconstruction and its influential factors.


METHODS
Three beagle dogs were involved in this study. After the extraction of 3 premolars and 1 molar of the bilateral mandible, 27 implants were placed immediately or delayed. The implants were loaded for 3 - 6 months, then sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) tests were performed. The stimulating electrode was connected to the implant or natural tooth. The recording electrode was fixed near the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) to record the latency period and amplitude of SNAP. The specimens with peri-implant bone tissues were taken and examined by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
SNAP of IAN could be recorded following stimulations to natural teeth and implants. The differences in SNAP amplitudes between natural teeth [(44.04 +/- 6.23) microV] and all implant groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01). Free nerve endings and nerve tract were found in the peri-implant bone tissue, but much less than those in periodontal membrane. Some nerve fibers were directly connected with implant surface.


CONCLUSIONS
Functional neuroreceptors, though much less than that of natural tooth, exist in peri-implant bone tissue. Surgical methods and loading time do not have obvious influences on peri-implant neural feedback pathway reconstruction.
Zhu
Yi-Bo
YB
Center of Dental Implantation, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing 100081, China.
Lin
Ye
Y
Qiu
Li-Xin
LX
Wang
Ying
Y
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000601:surgery; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous; D015921:Dental Implants; D004285:Dogs; D057893:Immediate Dental Implant Loading; D008334:Mandible; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D016348:Osseointegration; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D014081:Tooth Extraction
D015921:Dental Implants