ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATIONS ON THE SOFT-TISSUE AROUND CLINICAL LONG-TERM PERCUTANEOUS TITANIUM IMPLANTS

Percutaneous implants of titanium ad modum Branemark have been in clin ical use in the head and neck since 1977. The incidence of adverse rea ctions is low. In a previous study we have demonstrated the presence o f inflammatory cells in the subcutaneous connective tissue surrounding the implants and this increased exposure to exogenous antigens was su ggested to be compensated by a barrier of inflammatory cells in the so ft tissue. To get further information on the nature of the tissue-impl ant contact, in the present study we have examined the structure of th e tissue close to the percutaneous implant using transmission electron microscopy. We could not see evidence for an attachment of the epithe lium to the implant, nor between the connective tissue and the implant . Retrieved implants were also analysed and we did not find any organi zed tissue remaining on the implants.