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

TLDR

The study aimed to investigate peri‑implant and periodontal tissue lesions caused by ligature placement and subgingival plaque in beagle dogs. Five 15‑month‑old beagle dogs received plaque‑promoting diets, had premolars extracted and three Brånemark implants placed, then after a 6‑month plaque control period subgingival ligatures were applied to two implants and contralateral premolars, allowed to accumulate plaque for 6 weeks, removed, and clinical, radiographic, microbiological, and histometric examinations were conducted at baseline and one month later. Clinical and histological examinations showed that tissue destruction was more pronounced at implants than at teeth, the soft‑tissue lesion was larger at implants, and the implant lesion extended into bone marrow, whereas the tooth lesion did not.

Abstract

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 1 not at teeth extended into the bone marrow.