J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  1997 Nov;23(4):668-672.

ULTRASTRUCTURAL INVESTIGATIONS OF THE INTERFACE BETWEEN CULTURED PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT CELLS AND TITANIUM

• Choi BH
• You YJ

Abstract

A particular problem associated with osseointegrated implants is the fact that the implants lack a periodontal ligament. Thereby, marginal inflammation around an implant may cause more serious bone loss than does marginal inflammation around teeth with a periodontal ligament. In addition, osseointegrated implants are ankylosed and do not haute the same mobility as natural teeth with a periodontal ligament. Implants with a periodontal ligament would eliminate these problems. In order to explore the possibility of producing a periodontal ligament around titanium dental implants, a study of the attachment of cultured periodontal ligament cells to titanium was carried out. Periodontal ligament cells obtained from premolar teeth of individuals undergoing tooth extraction for orthodontic reasons were cultured on titanium-coated epon blocks. Sections of the blocks were cut perpendicular to the surface of the cell layer. Transmission electron microscopy of the periodntal ligament cells/titanium interface showed that there was no evidence of attachment at the cultured periodontal ligament cells titanium interface. The microfilaments, commonly located adjacent to the titanium surface, run mostly parallel to the titanium surface. The study showed that cultured periodontal ligament cells did not create an attachment structure on a titanium surface similar to that of natural teeth.

MeSH Terms

Actin Cytoskeleton
Bicuspid
Dental Implants
Inflammation
Ligaments
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Periodontal Ligament*
Titanium*
Tooth
Tooth Extraction
Dental Implants
Titanium