Biomedical subjects

Marco Degidi

Publications and source records attributed to Marco Degidi.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2005

Bone response to submerged, unloaded implants inserted in poor bone sites: a histological and histomorphometrical study of 8 titanium implants retrieved from man.

An important parameter that influences the long-term success of oral implants is the bone quality of the implant bed. Posterior areas of the jaws have been avoided in implant dentistry because of their poor bone quality, higher chewing forces, and presumed higher implant failure rates. Several researchers have deemed soft bone implant sites to be a great potential risk situation, and most failures have been found in sites where the bone density was already low. The inferior success rates in the posterior maxilla have been attributed to a lower bone density and a lesser bone-implant interface. The aim of the present study was a histological and histomorphometrical analysis of the bone response to submerged implants inserted in posterior areas of the human jaws and retrieved, for different causes, after healing periods varying from 6 weeks to 12 months. Eight submerged implants that had been retrieved for different causes after different healing periods were evaluated in the present study. All implants were submerged and unloaded. Three implants had been removed for inadequate patient adaptation, 2 for inability of the implant to meet changed prosthetic needs, 1 for not optimal position from esthetic and hygiene aspects, and the last 2 for pain and dysesthesia. All the implants were retrieved with a 5-mm trephine bur. Newly formed peri-implant bone was found in all implants even after shorter healing periods. The bone-implant contact percentage varied from 30% to 96%. In conclusion, some surfaces have an improved characteristic of contact osteogenesis in soft bone, with coverage of the implant surface with a bone layer as a base for intensive bone formation and remodeling. We documented osseointegration of implants with a rough surface even after an insertion period of less than 2 months, both in the mandible and in the maxilla. From these results, we tentatively extrapolate that these implants might be carefully loaded after 2 months of healing, even when inserted in soft bone. A higher removal torque value might lead to a more predictable use of shorter implants, to a support of a prosthesis with fewer implants, or to shorter healing periods.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

PubMed2005

Histologic analysis of an immediately loaded implant retrieved after 2 months.

Human biopsy of immediately loaded implants is the most important way to determine the occurrence of osseointegration. Implants inserted in sites with poor bone quality have been associated with lower success rates. The aim of this study is to document the early healing processes in a man around an immediately loaded implant retrieved after a 2-month loading period. An implant was inserted in the mandible of a 32-year-old patient and was loaded into a nonfunctional loading mode with a fixed provisional prosthesis the same day of the implant surgery. After 2 months, because the patient had difficulty accepting the implant, the implant was retrieved with a 5-mm trephine drill. Before retrieval, the implant appeared to be clinically osseointegrated, and no mobility was present. The preexisting bone quality was type D4. The implant was surrounded by newly formed bone lamellae with a width of 200 to 400 microm. In many areas it was possible to observe osteoblasts producing osteoid matrix directly on the implant surface. Bone-to-implant contact percentage was 71% +/- 3.2%. Even in a poor bone site and after a healing period of only 2 months, we observed a high bone-to-implant contact percentage. We can confirm that immediately loaded implants placed in soft spongy bone after a 2-month healing period can present mineralized tissue at the interface.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Histologic and histomorphometric analysis of an immediately loaded implant retrieved from man after 14 months of loading.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was a histologic and histomorphometric analysis of the peri-implant tissue reactions and the bone/titanium interface in an immediately loaded titanium implant inserted in a soft bone site and retrieved, in man, after a 14-month loading period. METHODS. A 65-year-old patient presented with a partial edentulism in the left posterior mandible. The patient was rehabilitated with three dental implants inserted in the left first, second, and third molar sites. All these implants were immediately put into a nonfunctional loading mode and joined with the other implants that supported the temporary restorations. After 14 months, the most distal implant and surrounding tissues were retrieved because of psychological problems of the patient. RESULTS: Newly formed, strongly stained, compact, mature cortical bone with few marrow spaces was observed around the implant, especially in the coronal portion. No inflammatory infiltrate was present around the implant. No gaps or dense fibrous connective tissue were found at the bone/metal interface. No apical epithelial migration was found. In the cortical portion, bone remodeling areas were present with many newly formed Haversian canals. Only in a few areas of the interface was it possible to observe an osteoblast rim. In the apical portion, newly formed bone trabeculae were present; these were composed mostly by woven bone, and only a small quantity of preexisting lamellar bone was present. Histomorphometric evaluation showed that the bone/implant contact percentage was 72.6% (+/-2.7%). CONCLUSIONS: We found that, in immediately loaded implants inserted in soft tissue sites, it was possible to find a high percentage of bone-to-implant contact and that osseointegration was maintained for more than 1 year. This fact could be partly explained with the use of an implant with a rough surface.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Collagen fiber orientation in human peri-implant bone around immediately loaded and unloaded titanium dental implants.

BACKGROUND: The main factor in determining the mechanical properties of bone is the collagen configuration. METHODS: This study investigated the birefringence in human bone around loaded and unloaded titanium dental implants to evaluate the collagen fiber orientation using circularly polarized light (CPL) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A total of 10 titanium dental implants, five immediately loaded and five unloaded, were used. The birefringence measurements were performed on digitized images of both loaded and unloaded implants. All images detected at 50x were measured using a software image analysis. RESULTS: In the bone around loaded implants, the transverse collagen fiber area was 45,481+/-3,037 pixel2 (mean+/-SD), while the area of longitudinal collagen fibers was 13,676+/-2,232 pixel2 (mean+/-SD). In the unloaded implants, the transverse collagen fiber area was 32,174+/-2,554 pixel2 (mean+/-SD), while the area of longitudinal collagen fibers was 89,073+/-1,960 pixel2 (mean+/-SD). The CPL measurements of the birefringence for transverse collagen fibers of loaded versus unloaded implants indicated that the differences were statistically significant (P <0.05). The results for the longitudinal collagen fibers of loaded versus unloaded implants were also statistically significant (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the bone around loaded dental implants, transverse collagen fibers were more abundant, while in the unloaded implants, collagen fibers run more longitudinally. The load seemed to determine the collagen fiber orientation.

Biocompatible Materials↗

PubMed2005

Histologic and histomorphometric findings from retrieved, immediately occlusally loaded implants in humans.

BACKGROUND: The immediate loading treatment concept can be successfully used in implant dentistry. Bone cells migrate onto the implant surface and establish a stable anchorage on the titanium surface. When implants are loaded immediately after surgery, there is a high long-term success rate of the implant-supported reconstruction. Based on histologic observations from different animal studies, the interface of immediately loaded implants can have a direct bone-to-implant connection without any fibrous tissue formation. Mature bone formation is dependent on the loading period. The aim of this study was to demonstrate a histologic analysis of retrieved, clinically stable immediately loaded implants with different implant designs and surfaces. An objective demonstration of the bone-implant interface was presented for the implant systems used. METHODS: A total of 29 implants with different implant designs and surfaces were retrieved from patients who were treated with implants using an immediate loading protocol and fixed immediate restorations placed the same day after surgery. The loading period was between 2 and 10 months. The bone-implant interface was examined histologically and histomorphometrically. RESULTS: A high bone-to-implant percentage of 66.8% (+/-8.9%) was found in the examined retrieved implants. Some marginal bone resorption was observed in the crestal part of the implants. CONCLUSION: According to the present histologic and histomorphometric evaluation of retrieved, clinically stable implants, immediate occlusal loading can present a high level of bone-to-implant contact in humans.

Alveolar Process↗

PubMed2005

Immediate functional loading of edentulous maxilla: a 5-year retrospective study of 388 titanium implants.

BACKGROUND: Immediate functional loading is a new surgical-prosthetic technique that can be used extensively in implant placement. Because of a lack of experimental reports regarding edentulous maxilla, we decided to evaluate the survival rate of immediately loaded dental implants in this area. METHODS: Forty-three patients (44.4% male) with a median age of 55 years receiving 388 implants (mean 9.0 per case) were enrolled in this study. Cross-arch acrylic provisional restorations were performed in the same stage. Data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier product limit estimation. Stratification of implants survival was performed for the available variables of interest, and comparisons were analyzed by a log rank test. Cox algorithm was used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: At 5-year follow-up, the crude survival rate (overall survival not stratified according to any available variable) was 98%. All failures occurred within 6 months from loading. We found differences in survival relating to: 1) implant diameter (99.37% for diameter < or =5.25 mm and 93.75% for diameter >5.25 mm); 2) number of implants (99.29% for < or =10 implants and 96.30% for >10); and 3) gender (97.08% and 99.54% for males and females, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed that diameter of implants adjusted for patient age and gender was associated to an average risk of failure (hazard rate) of 3.13 (P value = 0.042, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 9.43) per mm (from 3 to 6.5). CONCLUSIONS: Immediate functional loading is a reliable surgical-prosthetic procedure in edentulous maxillae. Implants with wider diameter are associated with a higher risk of failure.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Histologic evaluation of an immediately loaded titanium implant retrieved from a human after 6 months in function.

Clinical and histologic studies have demonstrated that immediate loading can be successfully used in implant dentistry. Many factors are thought to be of importance in obtaining mineralized tissues at the interface. This study describes the implant interface of an immediately loaded implant with a conical implant-abutment connection that had been inserted in the posterior mandible for 6 months. Histology showed that mineralized tissue was present at about 74% +/- 6% of the implant interface. No gaps, fibrous tissue, or inflammatory infiltrate were present at the interface. The bone adjacent to the implant was mainly lamellar (90% +/- 4.5%). Tetracycline was used to label trabecular bone, and labeled bone was found in direct contact with the implant surface. The extensive labelling by tetracycline demonstrated a large quantity of newly formed bone at the implant interface. The distance between the 2 lines marked by tetracycline was 85 +/- 5 mm. The results of this study show that immediately loaded dental implants can form mineralized tissues at the bone-implant interface.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Maxillary sinus augmentation with a synthetic cell-binding peptide: histological and histomorphometrical results in humans.

Bone substitutes should be used when sufficient amounts of autologous bone cannot be harvested from intraoral donor sites. P-15 is a highly conserved linear peptide with a 15 amino acid sequence identical to the sequence contained in the residues 766 to 780 of the alpha-chain of type I collagen. PepGen P-15 (Dentsply Friadent, Mannheim, Germany) is a combination of the mineral component of bovine bone (Osteograf/N 300) with P-15. Bio-Oss (Geistlich, Mannheim, Germany) is a deproteinized sterilized bovine bone with 75% to 80% porosity and a crystal size of approximately 10 microm in the form of cortical granules. The purpose of the present histological and histomorphometrical study was to compare maxillary sinus augmentation procedures in humans performed with PepGen P-15 with procedures associated with Bio-Oss and autologous bone. Seven patients participated in this study (3 men and 4 women; ages between 48 and 69 years, mean of 58 years) and were categorized into 3 groups. In group 1, a mixture of 50% autologous bone from an intraoral source and 50% Bio-Oss was used. In group 2, the graft materials used were 50% Bio-Oss and 50% PepGen P-15. In group 3, 50% autologous bone and 50% PepGen P-15 were used. Group 1 histomorphometry showed that the percentage of newly formed bone was 38.7% +/- 3.2%, marrow spaces represented 45.6% +/- 5%, and residual graft particles constituted the remaining 14.4% +/- 2.1%. Group 2 histomorphometry showed that newly formed bone represented 36.7% +/- 3.3%, marrow spaces represented 39.7% +/- 3.4%, and residual graft particles represented 19.6% +/- 2.1%. In group 3, newly formed bone represented 32.2% +/- 3.2%, marrow spaces represented 38% +/- 2.5%, and residual graft particles represented 28.8% +/- 1.1%. Non-statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of newly formed bone in the different groups (P = .360). Statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of residual graft materials among the different groups (group 1 vs groups 2 and 3) (P = .0001). These data demonstrate that the use of bone-replacement materials, without the addition of autologous bone, could be an alternative in sinus augmentation procedures. Such treatment would increase patient satisfaction, decrease surgical complications, and save the clinician substantial operating time.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

P-15 cell-binding domain derived from collagen: analysis of MG63 osteoblastic-cell response by means of a microarray technology.

BACKGROUND: P-15 is an analog of the cell-binding domain of collagen. P-15 has been shown to facilitate physiological processes in a way similar to collagen; to serve as an anchorage for cells; and to promote the binding, migration, and differentiation of cells. METHODS: Expression profiling by DNA microarray is a molecular technology that allows the analysis of gene expression in a cell system. By using DNA microarrays containing 19,200 genes, we identified in osteoblast-like cell line (MG-63) cultured with P-15 several genes whose expression was significantly up- or downregulated. RESULTS: The differentially expressed genes cover a broad range of functional activities: 1) signaling transduction, 2) differentiation, 3) apoptosis, and 4) cell-cycle regulation. It was also possible to detect some genes whose function is unknown. CONCLUSIONS: The data reported are, to our knowledge, the first genetic portrait of P-15 effects. They can help us to better understand the molecular mechanism of osteogenesis and can serve as a model for comparing different cell cultures and/or other materials with similar effect.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2003

Residual aluminum oxide on the surface of titanium implants has no effect on osseointegration.

The cleanliness of titanium dental implants surfaces is considered to be an important requirement for achieving osseointegration, and it has been hypothesized that the presence of inorganic contaminants could lead to lack of clinical success. Aluminum ions are suspected to impair bone formation by a possible competitive action to calcium. The objective of the present study was to describe the effects of residual aluminum oxide particles on the implant surface on the integration of titanium dental implants as compared to decontaminated implants in a rabbit experimental model. Threaded screw-shaped machined grade 3 c.p. titanium dental implants, produced with high-precision equipment, were used in this study. The implants were sandblasted with 100-120 microm Al2O3 particles at a 5atm pressure for 1min, then 24 implants (control implants) underwent ASTM F 86-68 decontamination process in an ultrasonic bath. The other 24 implants (test implants) were washed in saline solution for 15min. Both test and control implants were air-dried and sterilized at 120 degrees C for 30min. After sterilization the implants were inserted into the tibiae (two test and two control implants in each rabbit). Twelve New Zealand white mature male rabbits were used in this study. The protocol of the study was approved by the Ethical Committee of our University. No complications or deaths occurred in the postoperative period. All animals were euthanized, with an overdose of intravenous pentobarbital, after 4 weeks. A total of 48 implants were retrieved. The images were analyzed for quantitation of percentage of surface covered by inorganic particles, bone-implant contact, multinucleated cells or osteoclasts in contact with the implant surface and multinucleated cells or osteoclasts found 3mm from the implant surface. The differences in the percentages between the two groups have been evaluated with the analysis of variance. The implant surface covered by inorganic particles on test implants was significantly higher than that of control implants (p=0.0000). No statistically significant differences were found in the bone-implant contact percentages of test and control implants (p=0.377). No statistically significant differences were found in the number of multinucleated cells and osteoclasts in contact with the implant surface (p=0.304), and at a distance of 3mm from the implant surface (p=0.362). In conclusion, our histological results do not provide evidence to support the hypothesis that residual aluminum oxide particles on the implant surface could affect the osseointegration of titanium dental implants.

Aluminum Oxide↗

PubMed2003

Cortical bone regeneration with a synthetic cell-binding peptide: a histologic and histomorphometric pilot study.

PepGen P-15 is a combination natural anorganic bovine-derived hydroxyapatite matrix (ABM) coupled with a synthetic cell-binding peptide (P-15). This material has been reported to enhance bone formation in periodontal osseous defects. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ABM/P-15 on the healing of cortical bone defects in rabbits. Five New Zealand rabbits were used. Two 8-mm bone defects were created in each tibia. Eight defects were filled with PepGen P-15, 8 defects with PepGen P-15 Flow, and 4 defects were used as a control group. A total of 20 defects were created. All rabbits were killed at 4 weeks. Block sections containing the defects were retrieved and the specimens processed for light microscopy examination. Newly formed bone was present in both test groups, whereas, in the control-group, only a scarce quantity of newly formed bone was present and the cortical defects had not been filled by the regenerated bone. Statistical evaluation showed that there were statistically significant differences between control sites and sites treated with P-15 and P-15 Flow (P = 0.0001), and also between sites treated with P-15 and P-15 Flow (P = 0.0001), respectively. No acute inflammatory infiltrate cells were visible in both of these groups. Both PepGen P-15 and PepGen P-15 Flow enhanced new bone formation in the cortical drilled defects, whereas control defects showed very little newly formed bone.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Five-year prospective study of immediate/early loading of fixed prostheses in completely edentulous jaws with a bone quality-based implant system.

BACKGROUND: The concept of immediate loading of root-form implants for fixed restorations has received increasing interest over the last 5 years. Several authors have commented on parameters that may influence results, including implant number, implant length, bone density, and patient habits. The trigger for bone remodeling around an implant may occur from the surgical trauma of insertion or the mechanical environment of strain at the interface. In the classic two-stage approach, these were divided episodes, separated by 3 to 6 months. Immediate loading compresses this time frame; the two driving mechanisms for bone repair occur concurrently. A scientific approach to the interface development is to match the bone healing response of trauma (woven bone of repair) to the response of mechanical load (reactive woven bone), so the sum of these two entities does not result in fibrous tissue formation and clinical mobility of the implant. PURPOSE: It is the purpose of this article to review the scientific rationale of these statements and coordinate them to bone physiology and bone biomechanics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Findings from previous reports in the literature were reviewed and summarized to form the basis of a prospective study using a bone quality-based implant system (Biohorizons, Maestro Dental Implants, Birmingham, AL, USA). A transitional prosthesis was delivered either on the day of surgery or within 2 weeks for 30 patients and 31 arches. A total of 244 implants were used to support these restorations, for an average of 7.8 implants per prosthesis. After 4 to 7 months, the final restorations were fabricated. One year after the final restoration was loaded, the implant survival was 100%; the 31 restorations also had a survival of 100% over this time frame. This report presents these implants and restorations over a 1- to 5-year period, with an average follow-up period of 2.6 years. RESULTS: The bone loss from implant insertion to final prosthesis delivery averaged 0.7 mm. The first-year bone loss after final prosthesis delivery averaged 0.07 mm. A slight increase in bone height was observed after the first year, but generally no increase was observed over the remaining evaluation period. CONCLUSIONS: In the current report, no implant failure occurred, and crestal bone loss values were similar to or less than values reported with the conditional two-stage approach. This may be related to the number and position of implants, implant design, and/or the surface condition of the implant loading.

Alveolar Bone Loss↗

PubMed2003

Histologic analysis of clinically retrieved immediately loaded titanium implants: a report of 11 cases.

BACKGROUND: Several investigators have reported high survival rates for early or immediately loaded dental implants. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to analyze histologically the periimplant tissue reactions and the bone-titanium interface of clinically retrieved immediately loaded titanium implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven implants were inserted in the posterior jaw regions of six patients, serving as the most distal abutments of fixed provisional bridges and subjected to immediate occlusal loading. After a 10-month loading period, all 11 implants were retrieved with a trephine. RESULTS: Mature bone was present at the interface of all implants. Some vertical bone loss was observed; this was more pronounced for cylindric implants. The bone-implant contact was approximately 60 to 65% for all implants. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that osseointegration of dental implants can occur during immediate loading.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Periimplant bone in immediately loaded titanium implants: histologic and histomorphometric evaluation in human. A report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, several investigations have demonstrated, in clinical and histologic studies, the practicality of the use of immediate loading in implant dentistry. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the periimplant responses to immediately loaded implants retrieved from two patients after a 6-month loading period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three immediately loaded implants (two hydroxyapatite [HA] coated, one with a sandblasted surface) were retrieved from two patients after a 6-month loading period. The implants were treated to obtain thin ground sections. RESULTS: Bone was present at the interface with all three implants. Bone-implant contact percentage was 80.6% +/- 4.7. Bone was present also in the thread concavities found at a distance from preexisting bone and in those concavities that were at the interface with the supracrestal tissues or with wide marrow spaces. No gaps or fibrous tissues were present at the interface. No inflammatory infiltrate was present at the interface. The mean of the sulcus depth in all three implants was 0.9 +/- 0.1 mm, the length of the junctional epithelium was 0.9 +/-0.05 mm, and the length of connective tissue contact was 1.1 +/-0.05 mm. CONCLUSIONS; Our results show that immediate loading of dental implants did not impede the formation of mineralized tissue at the interface, and it can probably be a viable alternative in implant dentistry.

Alveolar Process↗

PubMed2003

Immediately loaded bar-connected implants with an anodized surface inserted in the anterior mandible in a patient treated with diphosphonates for osteoporosis: a case report with a 12-month follow-up.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that tooth loss is greater in the osteoporotic patient population. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature about the use of dental implants in patients with osteoporosis. Diphosphonates are stable analogs of pyrophosphate, a physiologic regulator of calcification and bone resorption. Multiple implant failures have been reported in a patient undergoing treatment with diphosphonates. Recently, several clinical and experimental reports have shown that immediate loading of dental implants is possible in selected situations. PURPOSE: The aim of this case report was to present the clinical outcome of immediate loading of implants in a patient undergoing diphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a 65-year-old patient undergoing diphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis, four implants were inserted in the anterior mandible. The implants were connected with a bar supporting an overdenture and were then loaded the same day. RESULTS: No problems occurred in the postoperative period. At 1-year follow-up, all four of the implants appeared to be clinically osseointegrated, and no mobility was present. Minimal bone resorption was present around all implants. CONCLUSIONS: Our case report points to the fact that, contrary to what has been reported in the literature, it is possible to successfully insert and load immediately after surgery dental implants in a patient undergoing diphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis.

Aged↗

PubMed2003

Bone contact around acid-etched implants: a histological and histomorphometrical evaluation of two human-retrieved implants.

The surface characteristics of dental implants play an important role in their clinical success. One of the most important surface characteristics of implants is their surface topography or roughness. Many techniques for preparing dental implant surfaces are in clinical use: turning, plasma spraying, coating, abrasive blasting, acid etching, and electropolishing. The Osseotite surface is prepared by a process of thermal dual etching with hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, which results in a clean, highly detailed surface texture devoid of entrapped foreign material and impurities. This seems to enhance fibrin attachment to the implant surface during the clotting process. The authors retrieved 2 Osseotite implants after 6 months to repair damage to the inferior alveolar nerve. Histologically, both implants appeared to be surrounded by newly formed bone. No gaps or fibrous tissues were present at the interface. The mean bone-implant contact percentage was 61.3% (+/- 3.8%).

Acid Etching, Dental↗

PubMed2003

Regeneration of the alveolar crest using titanium micromesh with autologous bone and a resorbable membrane.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) has been used for the regeneration of bone in conjunction with the placement of oral implants. The aim of the present study was to clinically and histologically evaluate the use of a titanium micromesh and a resorbable membrane in the GBR technique in patients with alveolar crest defects due to periodontitis, trauma, and extractions. Eighteen patients participated in this study, and 50 implants were inserted. The postoperative healing was uneventful, no dehiscences were observed, and all implants were functioning successfully at 7-year follow-up. At reentry, in all cases, the space under the titanium mesh was completely filled by bone. From a clinical point of view, in all patients, no residual bone defects were observed and a significant increase of the alveolar width or height was found. In all cases, a good esthetic result of the restorative procedures was present.

Absorbable Implants↗

PubMed2003

Histologic evaluation of 2 human immediately loaded and 1 titanium implants inserted in the posterior mandible and submerged retrieved after 6 months.

Immediate loading can be successfully used in implant dentistry. Many factors are thought to be of importance in obtaining mineralized tissues at the interface. One such factor is the implant surface characteristics. The authors retrieved, after a 6-month loading period, 2 immediately loaded implants and 1 submerged implant, each of which had been inserted in posterior mandibles. Histology showed that, in both immediately loaded implants, mineralized tissue was present at the interface, and the bone-implant contact percentage was about 65% to 70%. No gaps, fibrous tissue, or inflammatory infiltrates were present at the interfaces. In the submerged (control) implant, the bone-implant contact percentage was much lower (about 35%). Our results showed that immediate loading of dental implants, even in the posterior regions of the jaw bones, hadn't caused untoward effects on the formation of mineralized tissues at the interface, producing, on the contrary, a higher bone-implant contact percentage than in the control implant, and thus, immediate loading can be a possible alternative procedure in implant dentistry.

Bone Marrow↗