Histological and histomorphometrical analysis of bioactive glass and fibre reinforced bioactive glass dental root implants.

Bioactive glass has the ability to bond with bone, but it cannot be used as a load bearing device due to its limited mechanical properties. By reinforcing bioactive glass with a ductile second phase, a structurally reliable material is obtained. The aim of the present study was to evaluate histologically and morphometrically the interfacial behaviour of submerged composite dental root implants. Therefore, bulk and composite implants were subgingivally installed in the partially edentulous jaws of Beagle dogs and harvested after 4 and 16 months. Histologically, the connection between the implants and bone tissue could be clearly demonstrated. This bone connection is mainly located at the cortical bone level. In the vicinity of the infraalveolar nerve a fibrous tissue contact was found. It is shown that surgical trauma, motion at the glass to tissue interface, and gross ion dissolution from the material adversely affect the interfacial osteogenesis. If these factors are controlled, bone bonding is found over a larger area than the initial area of contact between the implant and bone tissue. This means that bone grows out along the implant surface, starting from the initial contact area. No difference was observed between the interfacial behaviour of bulk bioactive glass and intact fibre reinforced bioactive glass implants.