title: Ultrastructure of the interface between periodontal tissues and titanium mini-implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the ultrastructure of the interface between periodontal tissues and titanium mini-implants in rat mandibles.
  
  
  METHODS
  A titanium mini-implant was placed between the buccal roots of the mandibular first molar of 24 adult rats. After 21, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 days of implantation, the mandibular portion was removed and fixed in cacodylate-buffered 2% glutaraldehyde + 2.5% formaldehyde. The material was decalcified and processed for scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrastructural analysis revealed a thin cementum-like layer at longer times after implantation at the areas in which the periodontal ligament was in contact with the implant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament reorganized their constituents around the implant, and a thin cementum-like layer was formed at longer times after implantation at the areas in which the periodontal ligament was in contact with the implant.
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jaqueline Carvalho
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Victor E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Arana-Chavez
mesh_terms: D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003739:Dental Cementum / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008963:Molar / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D052280:Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D016348:Osseointegration / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010513:Periodontal Ligament / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000033:anatomy & histology
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants; D003764:Dental Materials; D003094:Collagen; D014025:Titanium