title: Soft tissue sealing around dental implants based on histological interpretation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to provide an overview on the biology and soft tissue sealing around dental implants and teeth.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a narrative review performed through scientific articles published between 1977 and 2014, indexed in MEDLINE and PubMed databases. The study selected articles that focused on epithelial sealing around dental implant or teeth with cell biology and histology of soft tissue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Implant therapy has been widely applied in dental rehabilitation for many years, with predictable long-term results. The longevity and functionality of dental implants is dependent on both osseointegration around the implant body and the establishment of a soft tissue barrier that protects the underlying hard tissue structures and the implant itself. The health and stability of the peri-implant mucosa also affects the esthetics of the implant. The healing and maintenance of the epithelial and connective tissues around implants are increasingly recognized as being fundamental to implant success. However, there has been little research into the function or formation of the soft tissue seal around dental implants, and the roles of this unique mucosal interface remain unclear.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This narrative review explores the extent of the current knowledge of soft tissue barriers around implants from both a basic and clinical perspective, and aims to consolidate this knowledge and highlight the most pertinent questions relating to this area of research.
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. Electronic address: atyuta@dent.kyushu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Ikiru
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Atsuta
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasunori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ayukawa
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryosuke
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Wakana
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Oshiro
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuri
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuura
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furuhashi
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsukiyama
authors.affiliation: Section of Implant and Rehabilitative Dentistry, Division of Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koyano
mesh_terms: D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D003239:Connective Tissue Cells; D003757:Dental Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D004848:Epithelium; D005881:Gingiva; D006801:Humans; D016348:Osseointegration; D014070:Tooth
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants
keywords: Dental implant; Oral epithelial mucosa; Soft tissue sealing