GENERALIZATIONS REGARDING THE PROCESS AND PHENOMENON OF OSSEOINTEGRATION - PART I - IN-VIVO STUDIES

The clinical success of endosseous implants is associated with the for mation and maintenance of bone at implant surfaces. Histologic analyse s have indicated that bone formation at a variety of implant surfaces is a continuous process that supports long-term functional integration . Based on in vivo observations, several generalizations have been der ived regarding the nature of the interface. Experimental descriptions indicate that the implant-bone interface may be characterized in spati al and temporal terms as discontinuous. Biomechanical tests of the bon e associations with implants demonstrate that the chemical composition and the surface topography of the implant influence the rate and exte nt of bone formation at implant surfaces. The precise character and fu nctional attributes of this interface are the focus of this investigat ion. Many technical difficulties are associated with its structural an d chemical characterization in vivo. Despite the technically difficult nature of this type of analysis and the limitations of current histol ogic examinations and biomechanical tests, in vivo models of osseointe gration are necessary experimental tools for the continued empirical d evelopment of clinical implant applications.