EVALUATION OF CONSECUTIVELY PLACED UNLOADED ROOT-FORM AND PLATE-FORM IMPLANTS IN ADULT MACACA-MULATTA MONKEYS

THE PRESENT PAPER DESCRIBES 18 CONSECUTIVELY-TREATED non-human primate s (Macaca mulatta) as part of a balanced block design study of 36 anim als to examine osseointegration in root- and plate-form implants prepa red by atraumatic preparation of bone. Clinical measurements around se lected teeth and digital radiology were utilized to monitor periodonta l disease and bone deposition around the unloaded implants. Once a mon th scaling procedures were utilized as a means of preventing further a dvance of periodontal disease. Results indicate that once-monthly regi men of scaling and root planing can prevent attachment loss of natural teeth and will not interfere with the healing of either type of impla nt; once-monthly scalings produce significant reduction in redness (P< .05) and reduced probing depths (P=.01). A second finding is that both root and blade implants show radiographic evidence of osseointegratio n in this primate model. The quantitative analysis demonstrates bone g ain is not stabilized until 6 months after healing. The data may indic ate that occlusal loading of mandibular implants at 3 months may be pr emature.