Advances in Dental Research, Vol 13, 57-66, Copyright © 1999 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Soft tissue and epithelial models
J. A. Jansen, E. T. den Braber, X. F. Walboomers and J. E. de Ruijter
Department of Biomaterials, College of Dental Science, Medical Faculty, University of Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
The applicability of a biomaterial for the manufacturing of oral implants
is determined by its physicochemical and geometric surface properties.
Research, therefore, is concerned with the cellular reactions that occur
when an implant material comes into contact with body tissues. For
permucosal oral implants, this involves both the reaction of bone and
gingival cells. In vitro cell culturing--including the use of various
analytical techniques like light microscopy, scanning and transmission
electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and digital image
analysis--is a good tool whereby investigators can obtain more insight into
the relevant components of implant-tissue adhesion. In the current
overview, the role of cell models in oral implant research is discussed,
specifically with reference to responses of epithelial cells and
fibroblasts.
