Osseointegration in Implant Dentistry

Osseointegration represents a direct connection between bone and implant without interposed soft tissue layers. However, 100% bone connection to the implant does not occur. Problems in identifying the exact degree of bone attachment for the implant to be termed osseointegrated has led to a definition of osseointegration based on stability instead of on histologic criteria: ¿ A process whereby clinically asymptomatic rigid fixation of alloplastic materials is achieved, and maintained, in bone during functional loading¿. The clinical procedure of osseointegration has an ultimate aim to provide the edentulous patient with occlusal rehabilitation. Long term clinical experience has clearly indicated that osseointegrated reconstructions rely for their prognosis on persistent precision in the surgical procedures involved in installing the titanium fixtures.