Experimental breakdown of peri-implant and periodontal tissues. A study in the beagle dog.

The objective of the present experiment was to study lesions in the peri-implant and periodontal tissues resulting from ligature placement and subgingival plaque formation. The experiment was performed in 5 beagle dogs which at the start of the study were about 15 months old. They were given a diet which allowed gross plaque formation. The mandibular right premolars were extracted, 3 fixtures (a.m. Brånemark) installed and abutment connection performed. Towards the end of a 6-month plaque control period, a clinical and radiographic examination was performed. Ligatures were placed in a subgingival position at 2 of the implants and the contralateral premolars. Plaque was allowed to accumulate. After 6 weeks, the ligatures were removed. 1 month later, the clinical and radiographical examination was repeated and samples from the subgingival microbiota obtained. Biopsies from the teeth and implant sites were harvested and processed for histometric and morphometric analyses. The results from the clinical and histological examinations revealed that: (i) clinical and radiographic signs of tissue destruction were more pronounced at implants than at teeth; (ii) the size of the soft tissue lesion was larger at implants than at teeth; (iii) the lesion at implants but not at teeth extended into the bone marrow.