| Abstrakt: |
Discussion of these important questions regarding the biologic behavior of dental implants demonstrates both our current understanding of these devices and the need for future study. Implants have been shown to be “compatible” with the host tissues and associated with responses that mimic periodontal membrane attachment. The future will provide designs that better “seal” the peri-implant soft-tissue zone. We now know much about the implant zone microflora and how properly to maintain implants clinically with techniques that do not interfere with the surface finish. At present, the designs and materials used for several dental implants result in host bone response that is a mixture of reparative-functional bone, osteogenic soft tissue, and host marrow. It is important to characterize the properties of this response better, especially the proportions of hard and soft tissue in relation to biomechanical factors. The dental profession has followed acceptable methods of biocompatibility testing, and the products currently marketed as dental implants do not cause serious harm to the patient. In vitro and in vivo preimplant testing have been effective, as indicated by long-term clinical evaluation of large numbers of implants. |
