X-RAY MICROANALYTICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE INTERFACEREGION BETWEEN CERAMIC IMPLANT AND BONE

In 8 monkeys both the maxillary lateral incisors were extracted. In th e 16 extraction sites an Al2O3-ceramic dental implant (Frialit(R)) was immediately inserted. Eight implants were submerged under the oral mu cosa and the other 8 were allowed to penetrate through the mucosa duri ng the observation period. None of the implants was loaded during the observation periods. After experimental periods of 1, 2, 4 and 8 month s, the interface region between the implant and bone was examined usin g scanning-electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, back scatter, mic roradiography and light microscopy. The results showed that osseointeg ration of Al2O3-ceramic dental implant was obtained. The newly formed bone around the implant filled exactly the contours of the implant. Ne wly formed bone had a mineral content and a phosphorus-to-calcium rati o similar to that of the adjacent older mature jaw bone. There were no differences in the osseointegration rate between the submerged and th e nonsubmerged implants. No leakage of aluminium from the implant coul d be detected in the bone.