Healing following implantation of healthy roots, with and without periodontal ligament tissue, in the oral mucosa.

This investigation, involving 44 patients, studied the physiological interactions of human dentine and cementum with the connective tissue of the oral mucosa by means of 26 autogenous implants of root fragments without periodontal ligament, and 18 implants with periodontal ligament. The implants together with the adjacent tissues were removed between the 3rd and 26th week after implantation. The implants without periodontal ligament failed to form cementum or bone-like tissue and in the 26th week they still showed resorption. Ten implants with periodontal ligament showed deposition of cementum with collagen fibers attached to it after the 12th week. The formation of new attachment with new cementum deposition on the dentine or on the old cementum could be ascribed to the influence of cells of the remaining periodontal ligament on the implanted root fragments.