Junctional Epithelialization Of Dental Implants On Animals In Unloaded Period

Background Dental implants are used widely to restore function of lostteeth. The variety of devices available is purportedly because modifi cations in design or materials will enable better performance of the i mplant. Events leading to integration of implant into bone, and hence determining the performance of the device, take place largely at the t issue-implant interface.Although percutaneous implants are widely used, their long-term succ ess is compromised by problems such as infection, mechanical avulsion and epithelial lose or downgrowth. Because of the aggressive migratorybehaviour of epithelium on percutaneous implants, in the absence of h eroic measures most experimental implants are likely to fail within a few weeks. A successful experimental implant should be integrated with in the surrounding tissue and have sufficient stability to perform des ignated functional tasks.Accordingly, one of the preconditions of successful implants is th e biological seal, mucosa barrier around the neck of implant.Objective To detect the histological change and the expression of prol if'erating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in junctional epithelializationof dental implants.Methods The junctional epithelium was detected by HE staining and immu nohistochmical staining of PCNA on the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, 20th and 30th day after implantation.Results 12 days after implantation , junctional epithelium began to fo rm and PCNA expressed positively. 15 days after implantation, epitheli al hyperplasia tended to stabilization and the expression of PCNA weak ened drastically. 20 days later, epithelial attachment similar to natu ral teeth was shown.Conclusion The gingiva epithelium can attach to titanium implants forming junctional epithelium of peri-implant similar to natural teeth.