When the implant is placed (Fig.3: I), the bone next to it is loose (not dense, *).   Arrowheads point to the space inside the implant, to which the abutment will be inserted later on.  Four and a half months later, the bone next to the implant is denser than before (Fig.4 *, as compared to Fig.3).  Small pieces of the bone have grown into the threads of the implant (arrowhead).  It suggests that the implant has integrated.  The space inside the implant is occupied by a healing screw (#), which is removed before inserting the abutment.  Return to main article

Xin Wei, DDS, PhD, MS 1st edition 08/05/2012, last revision 09/28/2012