title: Peri-implant bone innervation: histological findings in humans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to describe nerve fibres around osseointegrated implants in humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve mechanically failed implants, retrieved from 10 patients were collected from three dental centres over a period of 5 years. After implant removal, decalcified semi-thin sections (0.5 μm) were stained with thionic methylene blue for light microscopic analysis. In addition, an ultrastructural analysis was performed on serial ultra-thin sections (0.06 μm) using transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres could be identified inside the Haversian canals of the osteonal bone near the implant threads. Myelinated fibres were also located at the woven bone around the implant. However, no differentiated nerve endings could be observed around the implants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows the presence of nerve fibres in human peri-implant bone. Previous studies in animals showed that those fibres participate in the process of bone modelling and remodelling. Yet, the role of peri-implant bone innervation in the osseoperception phenomenon cannot be ruled out since the mechanism of mechanoreception in bone is not fully understood.
authors.forename: Livia Dos Santos
authors.initials: Ldos S
authors.lastname: Corpas
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lambrichts
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quirynen
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Collaert
authors.forename: Constantinus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Politis
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vrielinck
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Struys
authors.forename: Reinhilde
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jacobs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000502:physiology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D005260:Female; D006253:Haversian System / Q000294:innervation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000294:innervation*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000294:innervation*; D008751:Methylene Blue; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure; D036421:Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D004396:Coloring Agents; D015921:Dental Implants; D008751:Methylene Blue