[Mobility measurements and histological studies on endosseous titanium implants under masticatory stress in the mandibles of adult macacas].

Linkow blades were implanted into 5 adult monkeys. Measurements of mobility showed that two weeks after implantation the implant mobility was below the mobility of the control teeth. Fixed bridgework was inserted and after 8-14 months the mobility of implant and control teeth were alike. Inspite of this favourable result, the mobility of the implants, after removal of the bridgework, was higher than that of the controls and of normal values. The histological picture explains this, since all implants showed a sheath of connective tissue which was 5-10 times the dimension of the normal desmodontal space. Inflammatory processes and epithelial growth into depth were observed inspite of the absence of clinical symptoms. There was bony growth through the windows of the implants, but only on two implants could bone sheathing be observed. The conclusion is that Linkow implants should not be used alone for the anchoring of bridgework but only as link supports between long bridge spans or as distal extension of shortened tooth arches. Also, it can be used for the retention of a Dolder bar in mucosa supported dentures.