Wound healing of endosteal vitreous carbon implants in dogs.

Endosteal vitreous carbon implants are biocompatible and were well-tolerated by the alveolar process of dogs but were not accepted by the gingival margin and the mucosa. A continuous gingival recession with 2 to 3 mm sulcus depth was not similar to that around adjacent natural teeth. There was no epithelial attachment around the neck of vitreous carbon implants, and there was very little or no resistance to probing. The feasibility of using vitreous carbon as it presently exists for the maintenance and preservation of alveolar bone is unfavorable and should be revised. Endosteal vitreous carbon implants require more intense laboratory and clinical studies. Therefore, the practical value of the vitreous carbon implant is questionable, and further investigations are needed before vitreous carbon can be declared acceptable in clinical dental practice.