HISTOLOGIC INVESTIGATION OF HOLLOW IMPLANTS RETRIEVED FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONS

Objective. The purpose of this study was to radiologically, histologic ally, and histometrically evaluate bone in the hollow portion of three implants retrieved for psychological reasons. Study design. Three hol low implants retrieved from two patients were studied. We investigated the radiologic and histologic changes of these implants with the use of radiographs, light microscopy, image processing, and fluorescent mi croscopy. Results. There were no radiologic and histologic degeneratio n around the implants. Histometric analysis of the hollow indicated th at the average percentage of bone contact rate was 33.5% in case 1, 74 .5% in case 2, and 18.4% in case 3; the average percentage of bone fil ling was 25.1%, 33.9%, and 6.6%, respectively. There was a great varia tion among the three cases in bone to implant contact and bone filling . Conclusion. The hollow portion in case 1 that penetrated into the ma xillary sinus was encapsulated with fibrous tissue. The amount of bone tissue in the hollow portion seems to depend on the initial bone qual ity of the recipient sites.