The biologic width around titanium implants: Histometric analysis of the implantogingival junction around immediately and early loaded implants

This study compared the dimensions of the peri-implant soft tissues around immediately and early loaded one-piece implants as well as conventionally loaded onepiece implants. Comparisons of the peri-implant soft tissue dimensions were made among four different loading periods. Forty-eight titanium sandblasted/acidetched implants were placed in four foxhounds. The implants were placed at four time periods in groups of three. The first group (A) had implants placed 3 months before the placement of restorations. Further groups of three implants each were placed at 21 days (group B), 10 days (group C), and 2 days (group D) before restoration. Three months after abutment connection, all dogs were sacrificed. Histometric analysis of the undecalcified histologic sections included dimensional measurements of the sulcus depth plus junctional epithelium, the connective tissue contact area, and recession measured from the interface to the gingival margin. No statistically significant differences were observed among the four groups. The data suggest that the dimensions of the peri-implant soft tissues around immediately and early loaded one-piece implants are similar to those around conventionally loaded one-piece implants and comparable to the dimensions of the biologic width around natural teeth.