Histologic evaluation of Branemark clinic oral implants retrieved from grafted sites

Purpose: The aim of this report is to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the bone tissue response to Branemark implants retrieved from grafted sites in patients. Materials and Method: The material consists of consecutively received Branemark implants retrieved from grafted sites. Thirty-five of these implants, retrieved from 16 patients, were suitable for the histologic evaluation of undecalcified sections in the light microscope. Results: The unloaded implants were mainly lined with soft tissue, and sparse bone-implant contact was observed only in some sections. The loaded implants, with the exception of one implant removed due to mobility, had mature and new bone-implant contact. Resorption of graft through cutting cone structures was detected. Cement lines were found separating bone-like tissue albeit no cellular content and bone tissue with detectable osteocytes. Conclusion: In this heterogeneous group of implants from grafted sites, the unloaded implants showed limited bone-implant contact. The autografts showed seemingly mixed viability as judged by the cell content in the osteocyte lacunae and cement lines separating areas with filled and empty lacunae.