An evaluation of the surface characteristics of dental implants as related to clinical success

Abstract

Numerous investigators have been following with both interest and concern the increased use of implantology in dentistry, and many believe that at this time insufficient information exists regarding the causes for failures, as well as the reasons for success of implants. Many contradictory opinions predicated on diverse factors complicate a comprehensive and accurate evaluation. The types of implants that have been used in dentistry to date are varied--subperiosteal, endosseous and subosseous--and the many materials that have been suggested for this purpose are surpassed only by the numerous designs proposed for a dental implant. In this study, the major concern is the biologic acceptability of various metals as related to their surface characteristics. The advent of scanning electron microscopy has made it possible to examine the surface topography of materials used in implantology. Using a hard replica technique, the necks of many diverse implants which have been surgically removed following failures in the mouth were then subjected to examination