A HISTOLOGIC-STUDY OF NONSUBMERGED TITANIUM PLASMA-SPRAYED SCREW IMPLANTS RETRIEVED FROM A PATIENT - A CASE-REPORT

The authors report on the microscopic findings in two plasma-sprayed n on-submerged implants retrieved from a patient 6 months offer placemen t. One of the implants had been loaded for 3 months, while the other w as left unloaded. Clinically the peri-implant gingival tissues were in good health. The implants were sectioned according to the cuffing-gri nding system. Bone lined the titanium surface almost completely with 7 7.3% +/- 5.1% of contact in the unloaded implant and 86.5% +/- 3.3% of contact in the loaded implant Signs of bone resorption with many macr ophages and osteoclasts were present in the loaded implant while in th e unloaded implant only osteoclast resorption activity was demonstrabl e.