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Peri-implant tissues of the single-crystal sapphire implant connected with neighbouring teeth by a metal bridge-work were examined clinically, radiographically, and histologically in ten monkeys. Professional tooth cleaning was performed during the study. At 3-12 months after insertion, most of the implants were firmly connected to the surrounding tissues and peri-implant gingiva was regarded as healthy, based on various periodontal parameter scores. Destructive changes of the peri-implant bone were not found radiographically. Histologically, peri-implant gingiva was revealed to show similar structure to that of the gingiva around natural teeth. Direct bone-implant interface was observed at 3 months after insertion, while a thin loose fibrous connective tissue layer was present between bone and implant at 6 and 12 months. Such different interrelationship between bone and implant might be attributable to the difference in distribution of functional stress.

In order to assess the tissue compatibility of the hybrid materials for the dental implant (hydroxyapatite, titanium oxide and titanium nitride coated titanium alloys), tissue response to these materials implanted in the rat subcutaneous tissue was histologically examined. Initial inflammatory response was less evident in titanium oxide coated and non-coated titanium alloys. All materials were encapsulated by thin fibrous connective tissues. The membrane thickness of hydroxyapatite coated titanium alloy was significantly higher than that of titanium nitride coated one. These results suggest that all materials possess favourable tissue compatibility and may encourage clinical use as the dental implant.

To demonstrate the tissue localization of prostaglandin (PG) E2, PGF2 alpha and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (a stable metabolite of PGI2) various tissues, including decalcified periodontal tissue of 7-week-old male Wistar strain rats, were immunohistochemically examined using a streptavidin-biotin complex method. Besides tissue macrophages and endothelial cells in various tissues, hepatocytes, renal tubular cells, and parietal and chief cells in the gastric mucosa showed a positive reaction for the various PGs examined. PGs were demonstrated in the cytoplasm or in association with the cell membrane. We generally observed no difference between the localization patterns of PGE2-, PGF2 alpha-, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha-positive cells in these tissues. However, in the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was localized in the cytoplasm of osteocytes, osteoblasts, cementocytes, and cementoblasts, while no reaction for PGE2 or PGF2 alpha was revealed in these cells. We demonstrated the immunohistochemical localization of PGs in various rat tissues including decalcified periodontal tissue and discuss the important roles of PGs in the modulation of their normal functions in these tissues.

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