Purpose: Tissue reactions to 4 different implant surfaces were evaluated in regard to the development and progression of ligature-induced peri-implantitis.
Materials and Methods: In 6 male mongrel dogs, a total of 36 dental implants with different surfaces (9 titanium plasma-sprayed, 9 hydroxyapatite-coated, 9 acid-etched, and 9 commercially pure titanium) were placed 3 months after mandibular premolar extraction. After 3 months with optimal plaque control, abutment connection was performed. Forty-five days later, cotton ligatures were placed around the implants to induce peri-implantitis. At baseline and 20, 40 and 60 days after placement, the presence of plaque, peri-implant mucosal redness, bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical attachment loss, mobility, vertical bone loss, and horizontal bone loss were assessed.
Results: The results did not show significant differences among the surfaces for any parameter during the study (P>.05). All surfaces were equally susceptible to ligature-induced peri-implantitis over time (P<.001). Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between width of keratinized tissue and vertical bone loss (r² = 0.81; P = .014), and between mobility and vertical bone loss (r² = 0.66; P = .04), both for the titanium plasma-sprayed surface.
Discussion and Conclusions: The present data suggest that all surfaces were equally susceptible to experimental peri-implantitis after a 60-day period.

Purpose: The purpose of this prospective clinical and radiographic study was to evaluate Biolok implants used for single-tooth replacement during 5 years of function.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine patients received Biolok implants for single-tooth replacement. Clinicl and radiographic recordings were made at baseline (placement of restoration) and at 1, 3, and 5 years. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), and clinical attachment level were the clinical parameters recorded. Clinical attachment level was measured using a customized probing template and a standard pressure electronic probe. Bone level changes were measured from standardized radiographs. Clinical attachment level and bone level were recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm. Correlations between clinical attachment level and bone level, PI, and GI were evaluated.
Results: The cumulative survival rate was 97.4% (38 of 39 implants). The mean clinical attachment level change over 5 years was a loss of 0.17±0.23 mm. Significant correlations between clinical attachment level change and PI were found at 3 and 5 years (P< .015). Significant correlations between clinical attachment level change and GI were not found (P> .05). Mean bone loss was 0.83±0.03 mm from baseline to 1 year, 0.26±0.03 mm from 1 year to 3 years, and 0.14±0.04 mm from 3 to 5 years. Significant correlations between bone level changes and PI pr GI were not found (P> .05).
Discussion: Over a 5-year evaluation period, the bone levels and clinical attachment levels were stable. These results were consistent with other studies of single-tooth implants.
Conclusions: After 5 years of function, the results suggest that Biolok implants can be successfully used for single-tooth replacement.

Ryan C. Taylor, DDS, MS
Edwin A. McGlumphy, DDS, MS
Dimitris N. Tatakis, DDS, PhD
F. Michael Beck, DDS, MA

Purpose: The aim or this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the survival rates at 12 months of transmucosal implants placed in the posterior mandible and immediately restored with single crowns.
Materials and Methods: Thirty ITI dental implants with sandblasted, acid-etched surfaces were placed in 30 patients missing at least 1 mandibular molar and immediately restored if acceptable primary stability was attained. Primary stability was measured with resonance frequency analysis (RFA) using the Osstell device, and only implants with a stability quotient greater than 62 were included in the study. RFA measurement and radiographic assesment were made at baseline and 6 months after implant placement. Plaque Index, Bleeding Index, probing depth, attachment level, and width of keratinized tissue were measured at the 12 month follow-up examination.
Results: At 12 months, only 1 implant had been lost; it was removed because of acute infection. Radiographic as well as clinical examination confirmed osseointegration of all implants, with a survival rate of 96.7%.
Discussion: Interestingly, implant stability as measured using RFA did not increase significantly from baseline to 12 months (P> .05).
Conclusions: The present study showed that immediate restoration of transmucosal implants placed in the mandibular area with good primary stability can be a safe and successful procedure. However, larger, long-term clinical trails are needed to confirm the present results.