Correlative transmission electron microscopic and scanning electron microscopic observations of the tissues supporting endosteal blade implants.

Correlated scanning electron microscopic (SEM), routine transmission electron microscopic (TEM), and high-voltage transmission electron microscopic (HVEM) observations demonstrated that one-stage and two-stage endosteal blade-type implants were well-supported by mandibular tissues after five months of unloaded healing in dogs. Areas of the implants were apposed directly by mineralized tissues without any apparent interposed unmineralized connective tissue. Other areas of the implants were apposed by narrow areas of unmineralized tissue, often containing osteoblasts. These unmineralized areas were interposed between the implant and a supporting mineralized matrix. A healthy mix of tissues, which represented a dynamic osseous complex, supported these serviceable blade-type dental implants. This study, for the first time in the dental implant literature, utilizes HVEM stereology for evaluation of the bone-implant interface.